In their sentencing recommendation filed late on Wednesday, Kwon’s lawyers said that while prosecutors agreed in his plea deal not to seek more than 12 years in prison, that is “far greater than necessary” to achieve justice.
The defence lawyers said Kwon already has spent almost three years locked up, “with more than half that time in brutal conditions in Montenegro”, and has suffered substantially for his crimes. He also agreed to forfeit more than US$19 million and some properties as part of the plea deal.
The lawyers noted that Kwon still faces trial in South Korea for the same conduct and that prosecutors there are seeking a prison term of 40 years.
Kwon’s sentencing by US district judge Paul Engelmayer in Manhattan is set for Dec 11. The government is expected to file its sentencing recommendation soon.
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