Sentencing Lite

Houston oilman Oscar Wyatt, accused of paying kickbacks to Saddam Hussein under the United Nations' Oil-for-Food programme has been sentenced to 12 months 1 day in a low security jail.

In explaining the sentence, which was six months less than the low end of the sentencing range under federal guidelines, U.S. District Judge Denny Chin cited "amazing letters" from admirers of the 83 year old.

Quote:

"Mr. Wyatt is a most extraordinary man.

He has lived a remarkable life.

There is little doubt in my mind that Mr. Wyatt broke the law."

What a remarkable country America is; where, on the one hand, the death sentence is routinely carried out yet there are times when mercy is also shown.

Was Saddam Tipped Off?

The prosecution of Oscar S. Wyatt Jr., a Texas businessman accused of being involved in the Iraqi oil scandal, alleged that he told the Iraqi government crucial details of the impending 2003 American invasion of Iraq.

Lawyers for Wyatt said that the allegations, contained in an Iraqi official's diary, were highly prejudicial and irrelevant and should be kept out of his upcoming trial.

Quote:

"This document essentially alleges that Wyatt has committed the deplorable crime of treason and aided an enemy of the United States."

Wyatt is charged with conspiring to pay millions in kickbacks to Saddam Hussein's regime, to win contracts under the United Nations' oil-for-food program in Iraq.

The statements about him were contained in a diary kept by an employee of Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organisation. The diary suggests Wyatt notified the Iraqi government that the United States would bomb Iraq, when it would invade Iraq and how many soldiers would be sent.

Wyatt has pleaded not guilty, and is scheduled to go to trial in early September.