It is worse than a crime: it is a mistake.

It is worse that a crime, it is a blunder. [Fr., C'est plus qu'un crime, c'est une faute.]

It is more than a crime; it is a political fault

It is worse than a crime: it is a mistake

intended to forestall any more immediate response.

I deserved those penalties, but sometimes you try to be proactive. It didn't work.