No way a first time offender

[FBaggins]

17. Exxcept that none of that is true

You are not "convicted" of a "crime" when you lose a civil judgment. Criminal convictions have to be unanimous and with a "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard. Civil trials are much easier to press.

Nor was he convicted of the illegal campaign contributions that are assumed in the jury's guilty verdict here. The prosecutor lacked the jurisdiction to bring that charge and the judge lacked the jurisdiction to hear such a case... The people who DID have that jurisdiction chose not to prosecute at all... so he can't be said to have been convicted of it.