Bill Lerach has requested a one year prison term, half of that to be spent at home. Prosecutors have been aiming for something more like two years. Specifically, "The federal probation office recommended a sentence of 15 to 21 months, two to three years of supervised release and a fine of $4,000 to $40,000."

The penalty would stem from Lerach's guilty plea on one count of conspriacy in relation to the governments investigation into plaintiff kickbacks paid by Lerach's former law firm, Milberg Weiss. Milberg co-founder Melvyn Weiss along with attorney Paul Selzer have both maintained their innocence and face trial later in the year.

SENTENCED: The final numbers are 2 years in prison, 250,000 fine, 1,000 hours of community service. Lerach is expected to surrender himself for incarceration in April.

-- MDT

Labels: Bill Lerach, kickbacks, Lerach, Melvyn Weiss, Milberg, Milberg Weiss, Paul Selzer