A federal court judge on Tuesday sentenced Douglas Jemal, the successful D.C. developer convicted on a count of felony wire fraud last year, to five years of probation plus a $175,000 fine.
Jemal and Blake Esherick, the developer’s top aide, were each found guilty on one count of wire fraud for sending false documents to lender Morgan Stanley to illegally obtain $430,000. Esherick, who also was convicted on two counts of tax evasion, was sentenced in March to eight months in prison.
Having witnessed an outpouring of support on Jemal’s behalf, through letters and testimony begging for leniency, U.S. District Court Judge Ricardo Urbina cut the powerful, well-connected Jemal a break. Prosecutors had sought a three- to five-year sentence.
Jemal went to trial on far more serious charges of bribery. But the jury did not believe the government’s main witness, Michael Lorusso, a D.C. official who testified that Jemal showered him with lavish meals, expensive clothing and fancy vacations in exchange for sweetheart real estate deals. One gift, Lorusso said, included $10,000 in cash delivered in an envelope.
In its sentencing recommendation, the U.S. Attorney’s office described Jemal, one of the city’s most successful developers, as lacking remorse and “as an ordinary criminal who committed fraud to obtain money.”
Jemal’s attorneys, however, asked for probation only, and lined up a series of character witnesses to testify on the builder’s behalf.
“It was inconceivable that someone who has done so much for our city and someonewho was responsible for revitalizing so many neighborhoods could actually end up going to jail for something, I don’t want to say, trivial,” said Alex Padro, a Shaw advisory neighborhood commissioner who testified Tuesday.
Douglas Development Corp. projects include historic 7th Street, the car barn, the Woodies Building, Wonder Plaza, 1330 U St., the Marlo Building, the Atlantic Building, Ventana and the Avalon Theatre.
