Pardon Hopes Dim For Marine General

A federal judge dealt a blow to retired Marine Corps Gen. James Cartwright’s hopes of clemency from President Barack Obama. He faces charges alleging he lied to the FBI. Cartwright’s hearing was set for Jan. 17, but U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon delayed the hearing until Jan. 31, without giving a clear reason. The change appeared to be an effort to accommodate the possibility of classified court filings from each side on the appropriate sentence, Politico reports. Cartwright is facing a felony false statement charge, which carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Cartwright has said he plans to seek a pardon, which Obama could still grant, though he may have been waiting for clarity on the general’s potential sentence. Cartwright, a former vice chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, pled guilty to making false statements to investigators regarding leaks in the government’s use of a computer virus to invade Iran’s nuclear program.