Judge dismisses George Papadopoulos' motions to delay prison sentence

A federal judge on Sunday denied attempts by former Trump campaign advisor, George Papadopoulos, to delay the start of his two-week prison sentence, which should begin Monday.

Papadopoulos was convicted in September for lying to the F.B.I. With regard to his contacts with Russian middlemen during the 2016 presidential race, lies according to prosecutors hindered the investigation into Russia's interference in these elections.

In a 13-page opinion, Judge Randolph D. Moss of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia said Sunday that the time limit for Mr. Papadopoulos to appeal his conviction had expired on December 25. September and that he carry his burden to demonstrate that a delay in the execution of his sentence is justified. "

Mr. Papadopoulos' lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Sunday.

Judge Moss rejected a suggestion by Mr. Papadopoulos that his time in jail should be deferred pending resolution of the challenge of the appointment of Special Counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, who is leading the investigation into the Interference by Russia and possible links. in the Trump countryside.

The lower courts confirmed the validity of Mr. Mueller's appointment.

Mr. Papadopoulos had suggested that the appeal could theoretically be declared illegal by the appointment of Mr. Mueller and that, in turn, his own conviction would be quashed.

Judge Moss, however, indicated in his opinion Sunday that Mr. Papadopoulos had failed to demonstrate that the appeal would render the appointment of Mr. Mueller unlawful and, even if he did, such a finding would likely not provide any new information. evidence put aside his belief.

He also rejected what he considered Mr. Papadopolous's "eleventh hour" application, filed on November 21, to delay his sentence until he could appeal any decision on the case. Mueller.

The judge stated that the file had been filed "on the last working day before the scheduled date of remission to serve his sentence".

In court documents filed in August, prosecutors said that because Mr. Papadopoulos misled investigators, they failed to arrest a London-based professor suspected of being a Russian agent.

In an interview with the New York Times in September, Papadopoulos said he lied in part because he wanted to stand out "as much as possible – and from Trump himself and the campaign – from what was probably illegal action or dangerous information".