Feds Seek 30-Month Sentence For Former Sen. Katrina Robinson

Memphis TN

07 February, 2022

4:41 PM

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By Sam Stockard, Tennessee Lookout February 7, 2022 Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to impose a two-and-a-half-year sentence on former Sen. Katrina Robinson, arguing she has shown a "defiant refusal to accept responsibility" for felony wire fraud convictions. The prosecution also filed an appeal of U.S. District Court Sheryl Lipman's decision to drop two of four guilty charges against Robinson that dealt with providing information to the federal government on $2.2 million worth of grants to run The HealthCare Institute, her Memphis nursing school. Signed by U.S. Attorney Joseph Murphy, the prosecution's report, which is to be considered for her March 3 sentencing, contends, "She has not simply declined to admit guilt; she has embarked on an extended campaign – before, during and after trial; in front of the jury and in frequent statements to the media – to paint herself as the victim." Last week, Laurenzi told senators he wasn't certain whether an appeal would be filed in advance of the sentencing. Senators contended Robinson had exhausted her appeals, thus they moved ahead with the expulsion. The defense attorney said Monday that prosecutors had 30 days to appeal a final order of the judge, once she dropped two of the four counts. He wasn't certain when the appeal was filed with the Department of Justice. "We strongly believe the judge was correct in her ruling in finding that there was really no proof to support the government's accusation in the indictment. We will deal with that on appeal," he said. The defense won't have the right to appeal until the final sentencing is complete. Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit network of state government news sites supported by grants and a coalition of donors.