A federal judge has denied an appeal by former Trump adviser George Papadopoulos to delay his 14-day sentence for making false statements, or lying to federal investigators, until an appeals court rules in a lawsuit challenging the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
U.S. District Court Judge Randy Moss, an Obama appointee, ordered Papadopoulos to report to prison on Monday to serve his sentence.
Moss said in his ruling that Papadopoulos had forfeited most of his rights to contest his conviction when he entered into a guilty plea last year.
Papadopoulos “has failed to demonstrate that the D.C. Circuit is likely to conclude that the appointment of the Special Counsel was unlawful — and, indeed, he has failed even to show that the appeal raises a ‘close question’ that ‘very well could be decided’ against the Special Counsel,” Moss wrote, citing other federal court decisions upholding Mueller’s authority.
“Papadopoulos has not identified any extenuating circumstances — nor is the Court aware of any — that would overcome the presumption against granting such an eleventh-hour stay,” Moss added.
In addition to his 14-day prison sentence, Papadopoulos was given a $9,500 fine, 200 hours of community service, and 13 months supervised release.
“My entire life has been turned upside down. I hope to have a second chance to redeem myself,” Papadopoulos previously said in court.
Last month, in an interview on Fox and Friends, Papadopoulos told host Brian Kilmeade that he was considering withdrawing his guilty plea, alleging “tremendous misconduct” by the federal government.
“Given certain information I learned just yesterday that I can’t publicly disclose right now, I’m actually even considering withdrawing my agreement I have come to with the government,” he told Kilmeade.