Conservative filmmaker behind anti-Obama documentary indicted for violating election law
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The conservative filmmaker behind a hit anti-Obama documentary was indicted Thursday night on charges he violated federal campaign laws by making illegal contributions to a Republican Senate candidate in 2012.
The co-producer of “2016,” Gerald Molen, tells The Hollywood Reporter he believes the charges are politically motivated, comparing it to the IRS’ targeting of Tea Party groups.
The indictment states the 52-year-old best-selling author and activist will be charged with one count he illegally donated $20,000 to the campaign of Republican Wendy Long and one count of causing false statements to be made to authorities in connection with the contributions. Long lost her 2012 Senate bid against N.Y. Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
The indictment states D’Souza directed various donors to give contributions to Long’s campaign totaling $20,000, and then reimbursed them. Individuals are only allowed to donate a maximum of $5,000 to a candidate per election cycle.
“Trying to influence elections through bogus campaign contributions is a serious crime,” George Venizelos, the assistant director in charge of the New York FBI office said in a statement. “Today, Mr. D’Souza finds himself on the wrong side of the law.”
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