We previously covered Dinesh D’Souza’s indictment on campaign finance fraud based on reimbursing others for campaign donations.
The case stunk of selective prosecution, but selective prosecution is not a legal defense except in the most extreme circumstances.
If you are caught speeding, it’s not a defense that others were speeding too.
Today D’Souza pleaded guilty, as reported at Townhall:
Author and conservative filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza plead guilty this morning to one count on federal charges detailed in an indictment accusing him of violating campaign finance laws and making false statements. D’Souza admitted in front of the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, that he did in fact ask two people to make contributions in their name and later reimbursed them, knowing it was not proper under the law. D’Souza submitted a plea deal on May 19. Judge Richard Berman accepted his guilty plea today and set a sentencing date for September 23, 2014. The government argued attorneys would be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant, D’Souza, is guilty. There will be no trial by jury in this case.”Guilty your honor,” D’Souza said, adding that he deeply regrets his actions.”The plea is now accepted and Mr. D’Souza is now guilty under the indictment,” Berman replied.By entering a guilty plea, D’Souza waived his right to appeal and his right to sentence modification or reduction. He faces a maximum of two years in prison, three years supervised release and a $250,000 fine. There is no parole in the federal system. His right to vote, right to hold public office, right to possess a firearm and right to sit on a jury have been revoked.
There are at least two lessons here:
1. Don’t break the law.2. Especially if you are a high-profile conservative critic of the administration.
This will, of course, be used to taint all the good work he has done and will do in the future.
I haven’t been able to access a court docket, for reasons I can’t figure out. I’ll add the plea documents if I can find them.
(Update) D’Souza was interviewed by Megyn Kelly tonight:
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