Former Portage mayor seeking to avoid prison in federal bribery, tax violation case

HAMMOND — Former Portage Mayor James Snyder has asked a federal judge to spare him from prison when he is sentenced next month on bribery and tax violation charges.

"A sentence of imprisonment is unnecessary to further the objectives of either general or specific deterrence," the defense wrote in a newly-filed sentencing memorandum.

"Any reasonable person in the region viewing this case would understand the costs imposed on Mr. Snyder and his family, quite apart from any prison term," the defense wrote. "No observer of this case could take away any message other than that similar conduct risks devastating, fundamentally life-changing results."

Prosecutors are seeking a lengthy prison sentence for Snyder, saying it should fall within the federal sentencing guidelines of between 46 to 57 months.

Read more: https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/former-portage-mayor-seeking-to-avoid-prison-in-federal-bribery-tax-violation-case/article_ae3a1c56-8c4e-5ee6-9482-397d4679061a.html
(Northwest Indiana Times)