alt Hacker NewsBear in mind that this guy pleaded guilty in a court case.
In my mind that doesn't mean shit. Prosecution said, "if this goes to trial, we'll try to get life in prison. Or you could take our plea deal." That is why 90-some percent of prosecutions (EDIT: in the U. S.) go plea deal instead of trial.
I would imagine very rich people have extremely good lawyers though that can tell them very accurately if they will get off if it goes to trial.