Convicted FBI officials draw fines but no jail

December 16, 1980

A federal judge sentenced former top FBI officials W. Mark Felt and Edward S. Miller to pay fines of $5,000 and $3,500, respectively -- but imposed no jail time -- for their convictions in approving illegal break-ins in the early 1970 s.The judge apparently heeded defense lawyer's please for leniency on the grounds the two men had been under investigation and prosecution since 1976 and because neither profited from the crime. He made no comments in imposing the sentence except to give Mr. Felt and Mr. Miller 10 days to file a notice of appeal. The two were found guilty of approving secret break-ins -- "black-bag jobs" -- in the hunt for fugitive members of the militant Wheather Underground in 1972-73.