10.24.17: Philadelphia – (Politics): Handcuffed and in generic, loose-fitting garments that are likely his daily wears at the federal detention center where he’s resided in solitary confinement since late June and allotted only one phone call a month, Mr. Seth Williams on Tuesday afternoon shuffled into a packed 14th floor courtroom and mouthed “Happy Birthday” to an individual seated among his supporters.
Mr. Williams, the former District Attorney of Philadelphia who in the summer pleaded guilty to one count of corruption and who today was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison, had maintained his look: he was clean shaven with a rather thin build, though his muscle mass and definition was no longer visible. However, Mr. Williams, unlike the socialite he had portrayed for years, smiled not nor offered commentary to the court.
Beyond once or twice uttering a yes or no during the sentencing, Mr. Williams remained silent and let his lawyer, Mr. Thomas Burke – who read aloud Mr. Williams’ statement – do the talking. The written statement – which included an admission from Mr. Williams that he had made mistakes, bought shame to the District Attorney’s office, and engaged in self-destructive behavior which failed the people of Philadelphia and squandered their trust – wasn’t enough to convince Judge Paul Diamond to pursue leniency.
Judge Diamond said the statement, which touted political achievements at the DA’s office under Mr. William’s leadership, “sounded like a campaign speech” and wasn’t credible. He further added that whatever good programs Mr. Williams implemented had been overshadowed by his corruption, which, according to the judge, has had a “devastating effect” on the office.
It was clear Judge Diamond was no fan of the disgraced politician who last week was disbarred. He asserted that Mr. Williams – who has been ordered to pay nearly $60,000 in restitution though he lacks the substantive assets to do so – had sold himself to the parasites around him and possessed a “profound dishonesty.”
And when asked by Mr. Burke whether he would consider allowing the defendant to be released on house-arrest (at the address of his ex-wife) until his sentence begins, so that Mr. Williams’ ailing mother could see him, the judge said there were no words in the English language to describe the outrageousness of the ask, considering the former DA had defrauded the 85-year-old nursing home resident out of thousands of dollars.
Mr. Williams will remain in custody, and upon the sentence’s completion, he’ll undergo three years of supervised release. He will not receive his pension and, according to Mr. Burke, he’ll be “virtually penniless” when freed.
“Seth has lost everything,” Ms. Sonita Williams, the ex-wife, wrote in a letter to the judge.
In his statement, Mr. Williams wrote: “my mistakes will not define me.”
Federal prosecutor Mr. Robert Zauzmer – who said he had never seen a defendant opt-out of addressing the court at sentencing – asserted that Mr. Williams didn’t make mistakes but rather is a criminal who took whatever opportunity that came his way.
Mr. Zauzmer outside the federal courthouse on Market Street offered a message to the city’s politicians. He said federal prosecutor and federal law enforcement take corruption very seriously. And if an individual is found to be corrupt, they will be prosecuted.
“What happened today, will happen to you,” he warned.
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Photos courtesy of the author.