Government Tries to Give Too Good A Plea Deal

LATimes (AP) reports here that U.S. District Judge John Walter rejected a plea agreement involving former Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. Chief Executive Henry Yuen.  The deal would have allowed Yuen to receive a minimal sentence in comparison to many of the recent white collar sentences issued throughout the United States, ("6 months of home detention, a $250,000 fine and a $1-million charitable donation").

It is rare that a judge rejects a plea agreement, but it is also rare that a company weighs in by asking the judge not to go ahead with this lenient sentence.  The government now has the choice of either entering into new negotiations that result in a plea with a stiffer sentence, go to trial, or dismiss the case entirely. 

(esp)