MEMPHIS, Tenn. — For months, we have waited to learn the sentencing for now former state senator Katrina Robinson. Sentencing day has now come and gone, and a case that began with allegations of massive fraud, is ending in a whimper.
Federal judge Sheryl Lipman sentenced Robinson Friday to time served – which amounts to just one day in custody. Robinson also was placed on one year of supervised probation, but she will not have to pay any fines or be required to make restitution.
The judge scolded Robinson for sloppy record keeping – and dismissed her claims that the case was racially motivated.
The original 48 count indictment accused Robinson of misappropriating $600,000 in federal grant money intended for her nursing school, the Healthcare Institute. But when all was said and done, she was found guilty of only two counts amounting to just over $3,400. And yet, Robinson remains a convicted felon, which was enough for the Republican controlled state senate to remove her from office last month.
Keep in mind that the misappropriation of federal money happened before Robinson was elected to the senate.
At any rate, it certainly appears federal prosecutors went overboard in trying to throw the book at Robinson. And now, our state lawmakers have far more serious criminal allegations to worry about involving high ranking Republicans.
It just goes to show that things are not always as they seem.