Two former state Democratic lawmakers were sentenced today after pleading guilty to federal conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges back in Sept.
The charges stem from a cover-up in former State Sen. Jeff Smith's (D) 2004 congressional campaign against Congressman Russ Carnahan (D). Smith coordinated a negative attack ad campaign against Carnahan with a political committee, then lied to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) about his involvement.
Smith was sentenced to 366 days in federal prison on two separate charges while former state Rep. Steve Brown (D), who worked on Smith's campaign, received two years of probation due to his cooperation with federal investigators.
“Our justice system doesn’t work very well when people interfere with it,” U.S. District Judge Carol Jackson reportedly told Smith during sentencing.
Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster (D) even went to bat for Smith, submitting a letter to Jackson requesting a lessened sentence for Smith. Smith was one of three Democratic state senators who endorsed Koster's campaign during the Democratic primary in 2008.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Two former state Democratic lawmakers sentenced for felonies
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