Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Making Illegal Campaign Contributions For The 2012 U.S. Presidential Election

Contact: Donald E. Clark
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257
                                                                                               
Ryan J. Ellersick, Trial Attorney
Public Integrity Section
Department of Justice
Tel: (202) 514-2007

Portland, Maine:  United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II and Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, announced that Michael A. Liberty, 56, of Windermere, Florida pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to illegally making political contributions in the names of others to a presidential candidate’s primary campaign committee.

According to admissions made in connection with his guilty plea, between May and June 2011, Liberty made $22,500 in primary contributions through nine employees, associates and family members to the principal campaign committee of a candidate for President of the United States, when, in fact, Liberty paid for all of the contributions.

The defendant faces up to 2 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.