MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A failed congressional campaign from an unknown Democratic candidate has been linked to Republican U.S. Representative David Rivera, according to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald.

According to the Herald, Justin Lamar Sternad, who unsuccessfully ran for Congress as a Democrat told the FBI that Representative Rivers was behind his campaign. The Herald reported Sternad also said his campaign manager, Ana Sol Alliegro, was the link between Rivera and his campaign.

Alliegro allegedly funneled unreported money to the Sternad campaign, the Herald reported. Sternad said the congressman was referred to as “D.R.” and “The Gangster.” Rivera’s attorney refused to comment on the developments reported by the Herald.

“We will respond when these so-called sources are willing to go on the record,” Rivera attorney Michael Band told the Herald. “We are not going to respond to unfounded rumors and innuendo. My client is in the middle of an election and it’s unfair for us to be shadow-boxing with unnamed sources.”

For more details on the story from the Herald, click here.

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