All eyes were on Craig Thomson's sentencing yesterday. He packed a bag just in case he wasn't going home and expectation of jail time was high. But the outcome was very disappointing - this arrogant liar, who has maintained his innocence since day one, walked out of court a free man, pending an appeal set down for November 24.
The former Labor MP was convicted of 65 charges of fraud and theft using his Health Services Union credit card for his personal use, including the services of prostitutes.
Things looked promising. Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg said he was greedy and arrogant with a shocking sense of entitlement, but then he dropped a bombshell - he sentenced Thomson to 12 months jail, but suspended nine months of that sentence for two years which only left a lousy three months to serve. Well, we thought, three months is better than nothing but when his lawyer spoke to the judge, he walked out on appeal.
To feel let down by Magistrate Rozencwajg is a gross understatement and then to witness Thomson telling the media outside court yet again that he's innocent was almost too much to bear. There is only one tiny glimmer of hope left - that our esteemed judiciary will look at the case again and conclude that his sentence was far too light and extend his jail time well beyond three months.
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