By Steve Neavling
Ticklethewire.com
A cooperating witness whose testimony led to the indictment of Russian nationals during the special counsel investigation of the Kremlin meddling in the presidential election says he fears for his life.
Richard Pinedo, of California, told a court that he “lives in a constant state of fear” that Russians will seek retribution, ABC News reports.
Pinedo, whose sentencing guidelines call for 12 to 19 months in prison, pleaded guilty to identify fraud for his involvement in selling bank accounts to Russians.
His attorney, Jeremy Lessem, is asking the judge for a non-custodial sentence, saying he “has suffered, and will continue to suffer, in ways far beyond what anyone else convicted of a similar offense would expect.”
