Big break for Mich. man convicted of ties to Iraq

DETROIT (AP) -- A federal judge has granted a major break to a Detroit-area man who admitted violating the economic embargo against Iraq years ago. Muthanna Al-Hanooti was sentenced last Friday to a year and a day in prison. With good behavior, he'll likely spend 10 months in custody. Prosecutors wanted nearly four years. Al-Hanooti is well known in the area's Arab-American community. He was public relations director for a charity called Life for Relief and Development and helped organize a trip to Iraq for three congressmen in 2002. He was charged with acting as an agent of Iraq and illegally obtaining 2 million barrels of oil. His attorney, Linda Moreno, says the deal never was completed. Moreno believes Judge Paul Borman was moved by Al-Hanooti's humanitarian work for Iraqis during the U.S. embargo. Published: Tue, Mar 22, 2011