On Monday, William Argeros of Tampa, Florida admitted to being involved in the transfer of $80,000 in foreign contributions that went to a joint fundraising committee for President Barack Obama‘s 2012 campaign, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Argeros, 57, pleaded guilty to knowingly and willfully making foreign contributions, and to knowingly making a false declaration before the grand jury, in New Jersey federal court before District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo.
Argeros is the second person to plead guilty to aiding in foreign money going towards Obama’s reelection. In June, LawNewz.com reported that Bilal Shehu admitted to getting money from a foreign source and sending it to the fundraising committee. Argeros assisted in having those same contributions sent to Shehu, before Shehu passed them along to the committee. According to Argeros’ plea agreement, the purpose of the operation was to disguise the origin of the funds. According to the DOJ’s statement, it is a violation of federal law for foreign actors to donate to federal candidates or fundraising committees.
In addition to admitting to his role in the scheme, Argeros pleaded guilty to lying about it under oath to a federal grand jury on February 18, 2015.
Argeros is scheduled to be sentenced on November 9, 2016.
