Prosecutors Urge ‘Heavy’ Sentence for Ex-Sen. Carpenter

Charging that former state Sen. Paul Carpenter lied on the witness stand and sought to obstruct justice, federal prosecutors have urged that he receive a “heavy” prison sentence for his conviction on corruption charges.

“The defendant’s sentence should take into account the misrepresentations, half-truths and misleading statements made during his testimony,” acting U.S. Atty. Richard H. Jenkins said in a sentencing memo prepared for the court. “A defendant should not be given license to take the stand and under oath proceed to consistently lie.”

Carpenter, a member of the State Board of Equalization, is scheduled to be sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Edward Garcia for his conviction on four counts of racketeering, extortion and conspiracy.

Federal prosecutors did not specify the length of the sentence that they are seeking for the Norwalk Democrat, but at the time of his conviction, they said they would ask for a 15-year prison term.

In the sentencing memo, the U.S. attorney’s office criticized Carpenter for refusing to acknowledge since his conviction that his conduct was wrong or illegal.

“Instead, he has blamed the jury’s verdict on the anti-politician atmosphere that he claims pervades California,” the memo said. “It is not surprising that the arrogance and self-importance that marked this defendant’s tenure in public office should carry over to this day. . . . Rather than accept blame for himself, Carpenter finds it much easier to blame the citizens he was entrusted to serve.”

Carpenter was found guilty of using his position as a senator to extort campaign contributions from lobbyists and interest groups seeking legislative action. Federal prosecutors said they will seek to keep Carpenter behind bars for about the same period of time that former state Sen. Joseph B. Montoya will serve. Montoya, convicted on seven corruption counts, was sentenced earlier this year to 6 1/2 years in prison and will serve at least 5 1/2 years.

Because Carpenter’s crimes were committed earlier, he will be sentenced under different rules. In his case, a term of 15 years would mean at least five years behind bars.

Already under suspension from his seat on the Board of Equalization, Carpenter will lose the post upon his sentencing. He was reelected in November to a term that begins in January, but will also forfeit that seat.

“The defendant betrayed the public trust,” the sentencing memo said. “While his constituents presumed he was doing his lawful duty, on repeated occasions the defendant was going the way of those who paid the most. Such conduct demands a heavy sentence.”