[Update: Gilbert was sentenced to 60 months. Read more by clicking here.]

Joel I. Gilbert, the once-esteemed Balch & Bingham partner and Balch-made millionaire, faces a requested 8-year prison sentence from federal prosecutors according to Stephen Quinn of ABC3340.

Early last week, we, the CDLU, spoke to and then sent a formal letter to Assistant U.S. Attorney George Martin about the insidious and foolish digital ad campaign that is attempting to justify the actions by Gilbert and Balch & Bingham.

The campaign by unknown individuals and entities has backfired and become a mockery.

We told Martin in our letter:

You, yourself said it best last week “[Oliver Robinson’s] co-conspirators led him down this path and still deny involvement.”

We believe this current AstroTurf campaign by Balch supporters is a futile effort that only reaffirms the co-conspirators blatant arrogance, impunity, hubris, and mental state of denial.

According to Quinn, federal prosecutors are also seeking a 6 and half year prison sentence for David Roberson, the Drummond Company executive, who, too, was convicted on all six federal charges, including money laundering and bribery.

Oliver Robinson, the former state representative involved in the bribery scheme, was sentenced to only 33 months in federal prison last month for his cooperation with federal prosecutors and sincere contrition.