"It’s an extraordinarily lenient sentence in light of the extent and scope of Mr. Manafort’s criminality," Brennan said. "I think this sentence says a lot more about Judge Ellis than it does about Paul Manafort."
Judge T.S. Ellis III, a Reagan appointee, handed Manafort, 69, the almost four-year sentence, which was much lower than the 19 1/2 to 24 years suggested by federal guidelines on Thursday.
"You’ve been convicted of serious crimes ‐ very serious crimes ‐ by a jury," Ellis said to the court, following Manafort's sentencing hearing, but added "I think that sentencing range is excessive. I don’t think that is warranted in this case."