Former Democratic congressman Anthony Weiner appeared in a New York City courtroom this morning to find out his punishment for an incident which took place in early 2016. From January to March of 2016, 53-year-old Weiner had communications of a sexual nature with a 15-year-old high school student. The actions took place over various social media platforms.
In May of this year, Weiner pled guilty to sexting with the 15-year-old from North Carolina. It was not the first time that he was caught in lewd acts over the internet, and he has since admitted to being a sex addict.
Light sentence for Weiner
Weiner's legal team were fighting for their client to only get probation for his misconduct. However, the judge on the case, Judge Denise Cote, felt probation would not be enough of a punishment. According to ABC News, Federal prosecutors were asking for 21 to 27 months in prison, even though he could have received a maximum of 10 years.
It is not yet known which prison Weiner will be serving his time at, but his legal team did request it be in Westchester so Weiner could be close to his son. He has a 5-year-old son, Jordan, with his wife Huma Abedin.
In addition to the 21 months in prison, Weiner will have to pay a $10,000 fine. Once his sentence is complete, the former congressman will have to take part in a sex offender treatment program and he will also be on supervised release for three years.
Looming divorce
Huma Abedin filed for divorce from her husband of seven years the same day that he pled guilty to sexting the 15-year-old girl. The couple married on July 10, 2010. The two have been seen in public a few times with their son since Abedin filed for divorce. Abedin was not present in court today during Weiner's sentencing, although Weiner was wearing his wedding band.
The couple met in 2001 at a Democratic National Committee retreat in Martha's Vineyard. They started dating a few years later and married in 2010. The 41-year-old worked on Senator Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and is a very close friend of both Hillary and former President Bill Clinton.
Abedin stood by her soon to be ex-husband through several of his online infidelities.
Putting their child's best interest ahead of everything else, Abedin tried to make the marriage work. Once a minor became involved in the sexual exploits, enough became enough and she knew it was time to throw in the towel.
Anthony Weiner has to report to prison on November 6, 2017.
