Philly Political Fixer Gets 18 Months in Campaign Finance Schemes

PHILADELPHIA – Kenneth Smukler, 58, a long-time Philadelphia-area political consultant and attorney, is headed to federal prison. He was sentenced today to 18 months in prison, one year of supervised release, and a hefty $75,000 fine for orchestrating two separate schemes to illegally manipulate campaign finances. The sentence, handed down by the Honorable Jan E. DuBois, sends a clear message: dirty money in politics won’t be tolerated.

The first scheme centered around the 2012 Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s First Congressional District. Former Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Jimmie Moore, facing an uphill battle against incumbent Congressman Bob Brady, made a deal with the devil. He agreed to drop out of the race in exchange for funds from the “Brady campaign” – funds earmarked to cover Moore’s existing campaign debts. Those debts weren’t to legitimate creditors, but to Moore himself, his campaign manager Carolyn Cavaness, and various vendors. Smukler, acting as a consultant for the Brady campaign, was the architect of the cover-up.

Smukler funneled $90,000 through a labyrinth of false documents and “pass-throughs,” including the consulting firm of D.A. Jones, another Brady associate. The payments, blatantly exceeding legal contribution limits, were never reported to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). They were disguised as legitimate expenses for a poll and consulting services – a transparent attempt to hide the illegal activity. Moore withdrew from the race on February 29, 2012, cementing the corrupt bargain.

The second scheme unfolded during the 2014 Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s Thirteenth Congressional District. Marjorie Margolies, a former U.S. Representative, was again in a tight race, and Smukler, a veteran of her previous campaigns, was at the helm. As funds dwindled, Smukler illegally diverted general election funds to prop up Margolies’ primary campaign. He then compounded the crime by lying about it to the campaign’s own attorney, who unknowingly submitted the false information to the FEC after a complaint from a rival candidate.

A jury convicted Smukler on December 3, 2018, on a litany of charges: one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States; two counts of causing unlawful campaign contributions; one count of causing false campaign expenditure reports; two counts of causing false statements; two counts of making contributions in the name of another; and one count of obstruction. The evidence painted a picture of a seasoned political operative willing to break the law repeatedly to achieve victory.

“In order to win at all costs, Smukler knowingly and purposefully undermined our democratic process by misusing campaign funds and lying about it,” stated U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain. “My Office will continue to prosecute public corruption wherever and whenever we uncover it.” Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division, added, “Campaign finance laws exist to ensure transparency and fairness… Kenneth Smukler played fast and loose with the system… He broke the law repeatedly and now is being held accountable.” The case serves as a stark warning: in Philadelphia, and across the nation, those who corrupt the electoral process will face justice.