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Chicago’s Leading Criminal Lawyers Obtain Favorable Below Guidelines Sentence in Federal Wire Fraud Case

by | Jan 13, 2025 | Firm News

Chicago’s Leading Criminal Lawyers Obtain Favorable Below Guidelines Sentence in Federal Wire Fraud Case. Michael Leonard and Matthew Chivari of Leonard Trial Lawyers obtained a substantially below Guidelines sentence on behalf of their client, after a contentious sentencing hearing before Judge Robert Gettleman in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois that was held on January 9, 2025.

The case was tried to a verdict in 2024. The Guidelines called for a sentence in the range of 70 to 87 months, in light of the alleged loss amount – which was in excess of five million dollars. The Government strenuously argued that a lengthy period of incarceration was necessary.

However, at the sentencing hearing, and in their Sentencing Memo, Mr. Leonard and Mr. Chivari argued that a substantially below Guidelines was sufficient but not greater than necessary to achieve the aims of the Guidelines and sentencing, including applying the Section 3553 factors. In particular, they emphasized the following particular facts and circumstances: the defendant’s complete lack of criminal history; the defendant’s extraordinary family circumstances; the defendant’s service to the community, including his military and governmental service; and the defendant’s good conduct during the time period from offense conduct through sentencing.

Ultimately, the Court imposed a sentence far below the suggested Guidelines range, and significantly below the term of incarceration urged by the Government’s prosecutors – one of 36 months. With the service of that sentence at 85 percent, and with the application of expected good time credits to be earned by the defendant, it is expected that the period of incarceration will be more in the range of 15 to 18 months.

This case points out, once again, the need for strong advocacy at every stage of a federal criminal proceeding.

Michael Leonard

Leonard Trial Lawyers

January 13, 2025