It’s a bit like people coming out in the press saying a mass murderer was always good to his dear old mum. Ultimately she benefited from his actions, and enjoyed this criminally-funded lifestyle with him. Would she feel the same if he’d have been stealing from her purse or her family?
Some of the character statements from people in support of him were ridiculous like someone from Vanuatu who said: ‘Inigo is a kind and extremely generous person. He wants everyone around him to be happy. He finds joy in the simplest of things: a beautiful tree, a kaleidoscopic sunset, a cheap but exquisite bottle of Sancerre picked out at the Chinese takeaway.’
So he loves nature and shares nice wine so don’t jail him for illegal activity and deliberate swindling on a huge scale?!
I think the issue here is that the upper classes protect their own. 7 years and likely out in 3 (of a possible 20 year sentence) is a mere slap on the wrist. The people involved aren’t seen as victims as they can afford to lose the money, and they’re all in these dodgy dealings together so won’t want a spotlight on their own business activity.