For Rep. Chris Collins sobbed in court, the Washington Post reports, while his attorneys argued for leniency, before a Federal judge sentenced Collins to 26 months in prison for engaging in insider trading and lying to the FBI.
“I have no excuse," Collins said sobbing. "I tarnished my reputation."
The prosecution sought a sentence of 46 to 57 months in a Federal penitentiary.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Max Nicholas argued that Collins deserved prison time because he organized the conspiracy among his family members to help them avoid losing money on the stock, lied to federal agents about it and then announced he would seek re-election to his seat. His attorneys pointed to Collins’ record of public service and said the crime was an isolated decision made in the heat of the moment.
The Post reports: “I cannot face my constituents. What I have done has marked me for life," Collins said.
The NY-27 has been without representation in Washington since Collins resigned in September, after winning re-election while proclaiming his innocence and vowing to "clear my name."
There will likely be a special election to fill the seat April 29, a little more than two months before the scheduled 2020 primary for the office.
