Judge Won't Delay Sentence For Ex-House Candidate
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – A judge has refused another delay in the sentencing for a former South Florida congressional candidate who admitted to election fraud.
Justin Lamar Sternad's fourth delay request was denied by U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga.
Sternad is set to be sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty last year to campaign finance law violations, including accepting illegal contributions and filing false reports.
Altonaga says she may consider delaying Sternad's potential prison reporting date. Sentencing guidelines call for 12 to 18 months behind bars.
The case involves allegations that former U.S. Rep. David Rivera, a Republican, secretly financed Sternad's campaign to weaken Democratic rival Joe Garcia. Rivera has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, although close Rivera associate Ana Alliegro is also charged in the case.
Rivera is running for the House seat again.
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