The career prosecutors had recommended the longer sentence in accordance with a 2017 policy put forth by Trump’s first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, which requires prosecutors to seek the maximum sentence called for under the guidelines unless there are significant mitigating circumstances.

A source familiar with the matter said comments Zelinsky made during his testimony triggered the inspector general’s office to open an investigation. It is not known how far the office has proceeded in its investigation, whom it has interviewed or whether it has found any evidence of wrongdoing…

Testifying before the House Judiciary Committee on July 28, Barr defended his involvement in the sentencing. He said Stone’s age, 67, made it unfair for him to be sentenced for so long for a nonviolent crime.

“I agree the president’s friends don’t deserve special breaks, but they also don’t deserve to be treated more harshly than other people,” Barr said.