Thread by @adambonin

The 3d Cir opinion on Chaka Fattah et al's corruption convictions is now online. Bottom line: while it overturns certain charges and reinstates others, the number of 10-year concurrent sentences he's still facing means no change in his jail time. www2.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/16439… (1/)

All the convictions relating to the illegal excess campaign loan from Al Lord and the various schemes to repay him and Tom Lindenfeld stand, including RICO. Convictions relating to the phony Porsche sale, for which the trial court judge directed acquittal, are reinstated. (2/)

As to the bribery charges involving Fattah and Vederman, the Court tossed the convictions based on improper jury instructions pre-McDonnell, with remand for potential retrial on those counts. Here's how the Court sums up its ruling. (3/)

Given that it won't affect Fattah's sentence, the primary reason to retry the bribery charges would be as to Vederman's sentence, as now he's only on the hook for the phony Porsche sale. Here's what the Court suggests as to how that would go. (4/)

The Court sustained the trial judge's rulings as to the dismissal of one juror and as to various evidentiary rulings made.

So, Fattah's functionally in the same position as before (fewer charges, same sentence), but Vederman is in worse shape. Here's why. (5/)

Vederman was facing a 2-yr sentence but was granted bail pending appeal, given the novel, substantial issues under McDonnell. Some of those charges can now be retried. But even if not, he now faces sentencing for the Porsche-related counts, which had been dismissed below. (6/)

Given that the government has leverage from the potentially retriable counts, I anticipate there's room for a deal here on a recommended sentence for Vederman to resolve all pending issues. (7/7) #done #AMA