The former finance director for Christopher Donovan”™s failed 2012 run for the U.S. House of Representatives was convicted earlier this week on multiple charges in relation to a campaign contribution scheme.
Robert Braddock Jr. was found guilty of one count of conspiring to make false statements to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and to defraud the U.S. by impeding the function of the commission; one count of accepting more than $10,000 in federal campaign contributions made by persons in the names of others; and one count of causing a false report to be filed with the FEC.
“The evidence disclosed during this trial revealed a disturbing scheme operated by individuals who believed that our federal campaign finance laws are meaningless, and that the legislative process can be easily corrupted with campaign contributions,” said acting U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly in a May 21 statement. “This case demonstrates exactly why our campaign finance laws exist in the first place.”
According to court documents, Braddock, along with former Donovan campaign manager Joshua Nassi, conspired with owners of roll-your-own smoke shops who were seeking to block legislation in the Connecticut General Assembly that could have proved harmful to their shops.
Prosecutors said that Nassi and Braddock offered to work with the smoke shop owners to stall any potentially harmful legislation in exchange for their assistance in funneling donations to Donovan”™s campaign.
At the time of the activities, Donovan ”“ who fell to Rep. Elizabeth Esty in a Democratic primary ”“ was serving as speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives. Donovan has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has denied any involvement.
In April, Nassi pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to make false statements to the SEC and to impeding the FEC”™s enforcement of federal campaign laws and faces up to five years in prison. Several others who were charged in the scheme have also pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
Braddock faces up to 12 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000.
