A former Republican state senator was sentenced to 60 days in prison and probation on Monday after being found guilty of several offenses connected to a “ghost candidate” conspiracy in South Florida.
The senator plans to appeal the decision. In September, Frank Artiles was found guilty of conspiring to make excessive campaign contributions, soliciting the falsification of a candidate oath form, and making excessive campaign contributions.
He was found not guilty of obtaining a voter registration form that was fraudulent. Prior to Judge de la O issuing his sentence, the sentencing session began Monday morning and was extended in the afternoon.
Artiles will spend five years of probation on each of the three offenses and earn credit for time served as part of the sentence.
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In addition, he was mandated to refrain from political engagement and complete 500 hours of community service. Judge de la O stated that he considered Artiles’ military service and charitable endeavors when imposing the punishment.
“Mr. Artiles did violate the law, even though the overall plan was largely lawful,” he stated. In the past, Artiles’ lawyer expressed disappointment with the decision and stated that they plan to appeal.
Until the appeal is heard, De la O promised to delay the sentencing. In order to eventually divert votes away from incumbent Democrat Jose Javier Rodriguez in the 2020 District 37 campaign, authorities say Artiles enlisted “ghost candidate” Alex Rodriguez to run as a third-party candidate.
In the election, Rodriguez garnered more than 6,000 votes, and Republican Illeana Garcia defeated the incumbent by a mere 32 votes.
Although defense lawyers acknowledged that Artiles paid Rodriguez’s lawyer and his daughter’s tuition, they claimed the funds were legitimate business dealings rather than political contributions.
Prosecutors, however, claimed that Artiles paid Rodriguez such transactions in order to rig the election and cause Republicans to win the seat.
If what they were doing was legitimate, the prosecutors questioned why Artiles would suggest an attorney. While ghost candidates are allowed under Florida law, excessive campaign contributions above $1,000 are prohibited.
Artiles’ brother and wife also addressed in court at Monday’s sentencing session, as did Jose Javier Rodriguez. As his wife pleaded with the judge in tears, Artiles broke down. December was the date of the case’s subsequent hearing.