Conservative Author Dinesh D'Souza Charged With Campaign Finance Fraud

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/dinesh-dsouza-campaign-finance-indictment

HUNTER WALKER AND ERIC LACH – JANUARY 23, 2014, 6:09 PM EST37467
Conservative author Dinesh D'Souza has been indicted on federal charges of violating campaign finance laws, the the U.S attorney in Manhattan announced on Thursday.

The indictment accused D'Souza of participating in a straw donation scheme to funnel money to an unnamed Senate campaign. He was charged with one count of making more than $10,000 of contributions in the names of others and one count of causing false statements.

The indictment alleged D'Souza "knowingly made and caused to be made" contributions "in the names of others" during 2012. According to the indictment, D'Souza then "reimbursed others with whom he was associated and who he had directed to contribute a total of $20,000 to the campaign."

Though the Senate candidate that received the alleged donations was not named, TPM has learned the campaign in question was that of Wendy Long, a Republican attorney who in 2012 lost to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). The indictment said the campaign was unaware of D'Souza's activities.

In a written statement released on Thursday, D’Souza's attorney, Benjamin Brafman, argued that "at worst, this was an act of misguided friendship by D'Souza."

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