Ive had difficulties in uploading lately. A number of postings over the last three months dont seem to have made it to the blog, for which I apologise. I will try harder!
There is a feeling that this conviction is a sort of PR sop to those who want to see some financiers punished for the economic crisis. This case began long before the credit crunch and I would expect it to be appealed. The use of wire-tap eveidence is of great significance as it has historically only been used against organised criminals, not against white-collar crime.