He could make an uncharacteristic admission of guilt and plea bargain.

ECONOMIST: Silvio Berlusconi's troubles

Apparently, Watson was not prepared to make a timely admission of his all-too human shortcomings as an investor guru.

FORBES: UPDATE: Investment Club Fraudster Watson Pleads Guilty in Federal Criminal Case

Andrew Neilson, of the Howard League for Penal Reform, argued that the plans represented "an admission of the abject failure of short-term prison sentences" and that the government should make greater use of community sentences.

BBC: UK Politics