Guernsey Press

Disgraced ex-congressman Anthony Weiner jailed over sexting case

The former Democrat received a 21-month sentence and was fined $10,000 (£7,400).

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Former US congressman Anthony Weiner has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for sexting with a 15-year-old girl in a case which may have cost Hillary Clinton the presidency.

The former Democratic congressman from New York had faced up to 27 months in jail after his guilty plea to one charge of transferring obscene material to a minor.

Prosecutors said he broke the law by having illicit contact with a 15-year-old girl using Skype and Snapchat.

Anthony Weiner
Mr Weiner leaves federal court following his sentencing (Mark Lennihan/AP)

Weiner’s sexting habit destroyed his career in congress, his campaign for mayor and his marriage to Huma Abedin, a former aide to Mrs Clinton.

The case also became an issue in the closing days of 2016 presidential election when then-FBI director James Comey cited emails discovered on a laptop used by Weiner to justify reopening the probe into Mrs Clinton’s private computer server.

Weiner, 53, dropped his head into his hand and wept as the sentence was announced by Judge Denise Cote in a New York federal courtroom.

Anthony Weiner
Mr Weiner was also fined 10,000 dollars (£7,400) ( Mark Lennihan/AP)

After the hearing ended and Judge Cote left the bench, he sat in his seat for several minutes, continuing to cry.

He said nothing as he left the courthouse and must surrender to prison officials by November 6.

The sentencing completed the sordid downfall of the New York Democrat.

Anthony Weiner
The former congressman wept when he heard the sentence (Andres Kudacki/AP)

Admitting “I have a sickness, but I do not have an excuse”, Weiner pleaded guilty in May to transferring obscene material to a minor, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, for illicit contact with a North Carolina teenager.

He sought to be spared from prison, tearfully telling Judge Cote that he had been “a very sick man for a very long time”.

Weiner, weeping as he read from a written statement, said he had reached “rock bottom” with his crime.

Prosecutors said he sent the girl porn and got her to take her clothes off and touch herself on Skype.

Weiner, wearing his wedding ring, seemed pensive just before Monday’s hearing began. His parents were in the courtroom, but not his wife. He and Ms Abedin, who have a five-year-old child, are going through divorce proceedings.

Huma Abedin and Anthony Weiner
Anthony Weiner’s wife Huma Abedin was not in court (Jefferson Siegel/The Daily News via AP, Pool)

Weiner was also fined 10,000 dollars (£7,400). After his sentence is served, he must undergo internet monitoring and must have no contact with his victim.

He must also enrol in a sex offender treatment programme.

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