Newark, N.J. — A Paramus man was handed a one-year probation sentence today for his role in funneling $80,000 in foreign campaign donations to the joint fundraising committee of the President during the 2012 presidential election, according to U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman.
Bilal Shehu, 48, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to charges of making foreign contributions and donations in connection with the 2012 presidential election, which exceeded $25,000 during a calendar year. The sentence was imposed in Newark federal court.
In September 2012, Shehu received approximately $80,000 from an overseas source, which he then provided to a joint fundraising committee to disguise its true origin. He intended for the money to enable a foreign national to attend a campaign event on October 8, 2012, in San Francisco. Federal law strictly prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to federal candidates or fundraising committees.
Shehu admitted to receiving the wire transfer and attempting to gain entry into the San Francisco event with the foreign national. Although they were denied access, the foreign national was allowed to be photographed with the President. No charges have been brought against anyone on the joint fundraising committee, who fully cooperated with the investigation.
William Argeros, 58, from Tampa, Florida, was also charged in the scheme and pleaded guilty in July 2016. His sentencing is set for February 14, 2017.
The FBI’s Newark office led the investigation that resulted in Shehu’s sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. McCarren and Trial Attorneys Charles Walsh and Peter Halpern represented the government in this case. Defense counsel was Alan M. Abramson Esq., of New York.
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Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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