Rajat Gupta gets 24-month prison term, $5 million fine at sentencing for insider trading

The early news reports from US District Court in downtown NYC indicate that former Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta was sentenced to two years in prison and a $5 million fine for his insider trading, and that he is scheduled to report to prison on January 8, 2013.

This sentence is between the extremes of th 8-10 years sought by prosecutors and the “rigorous community service” sought by the defense. And it should come as no surprise to regular readers based on my comment in this post after seeing the sentencing submissions: “I will (boldly?) predict that Judge Rakoff will impose a sentence somewhere between these recommendations. I will even set my current betting-line over/under at two years in prison.” Though I have no actual experience as a bookie, I think the fact that my betting line hit the actual outcome on the number means that the house keeps all bets. Maybe I should look into the (federal sentencing)bookie business.

UPDATE:  This new Wall Street Journal account of the sentencing includes these excerpts and quotes of note:

“I think the record, which the government really doesn’t dispute, bears out that he is a good man,” said Judge Rakoff during the hearing. “But the history of this country and the history of the world, I’m afraid, is full of examples of good men who do bad things.”…

Mr. Gupta, who was accompanied to court by his wife and four daughters, apologized to his friends, family and the charitable institutions that he helped to found. “The last 18 months have been the most challenging period of my life since I lost my parents as a teenager,” he told the judge before sentencing. “I lost my reputation that I built over a lifetime. Much of the first year seemed surreal to me. However, since the trial I’ve come to accept the reality of my life going forward,” he said….

Prosecutors had argued that Mr. Gupta should receive up to 10 years in prison under the federal sentencing guidelines, which in insider-trading cases are largely based on profits, or losses avoided, because of the illegal tips. But the guidelines are advisory and Judge Rakoff often sentences below them….

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in an emailed statement: “With today’s sentence, Rajat Gupta now must face the grave consequences of his crime — a term of imprisonment.  His conduct has forever tarnished a once-sterling reputation that took years to cultivate.  We hope that others who might consider breaking the securities laws will take heed from this sad occasion and choose not to follow in Mr. Gupta’s footsteps.”