Matricardi Fined, Three Years Probation for Eavesdropping

Not a bad deal, and what surprises me most is the leniency of the judge:

The former executive director of the state Republican Party was sentenced yesterday to three years probation, 180 hours of community service and a $5,000 fine for eavesdropping on Democratic conference calls.

(Judge) Spencer said he “agonized” over Matricardi’s sentence, feeling that giving Matricardi jail time would set an example.

“I think about the young Democrats and young Republicans fermenting on college campuses and getting ready to join the culture wars,” Spencer said. “They need to know that the minute they put party above principle they step over the line. They denigrate the system.There is wrong and right and what Mr. Matricardi did was wrong.”

In the end, Spencer added, he decided to give Matricardi “the individual treatment he deserves,” rather than make an example of him.

The snip may make the judge sound a bit too high and mighty, but the article really went to lengths to show what a class act Judge Spencer was concerning this case. A previous article showed a contrite and humbled Matricardi, detailing how the case had affected his family and his career. That’s how justice should work – weight the contrition of the defense with the severity of the crime. I don’t think that anyone will be listening in on any phone calls anytime soon.