Did You Know That There Are Still Laws Governing How Much Money One Can Give To a Candidate For Office And You Can Go to Prison For Violating Them?

Part of Our “This Too Could Happen to You” Series….

Did You Know That There Are Still Laws Governing How Much Money One Can Give To a Candidate For Office And You Can Go to Prison For Violating Them? 

Sometimes good people make huge mistakes.  Today we focusing on a story that could really be about any business owner who thinks that in order to participate in government contracts “they have to pay to play.”

Very serious charges could stem from these types of situations.  If you or a loved one is in this type of situation, called an experienced attorney right away. You will need a skilled lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.

Charges of this type do not easily go away. Call us. We are Here to Help.

Read The Story:

A prominent hotel executive in New York pleaded guilty on Thursday to conspiring to make $188,000 of illegal campaign contributions to three U.S. candidates via straw donors.

In a recorded conversation disclosed in court, Chatwal allegedly told a government informant that without political contributions, “nobody will even talk to you … That’s the only way to buy them, get into the system.”

Chatwal, chairman of Hampshire Hotels Management, pleaded guilty in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, to criminal charges of conspiring to violate the Federal Election Campaign Act and witness tampering.

A straw donor is someone who illegally uses someone else’s money to make campaign contributions in his or her own name.

As part of a plea agreement, Chatwal, 70, agreed not to appeal any prison sentence shorter than 5-1/4 years. He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison. The defendant also agreed to forfeit $1 million.

Prosecutors said Chatwal from 2007 to 2011 used employees, business associates and hotel contractors to make contributions, which he would reimburse.

They said the scheme violated federal limits on campaign contributions by individuals, which in 2008 were $4,600 per candidate and in 2010 were $4,800.

“Mr. Chatwal deeply regrets his actions and accepts full responsibility for the consequences,” said Lesley Bogdanow, a spokeswoman for Chatwal. “He looks forward to resolving this personal matter.”

Bogdanow and Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch declined to identify the candidates who received the improper donations.

The case is U.S. v. Chatwal, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, No. 14-cr-00143.

Election law violations can be very serious and if you are accused of such, you should immediately contact a knowledgeable lawyer…….

The Full story:

http://www.feedspot.com/?dadi=1#feed/f_9459/article/996868223?dd=19127223