Former U.S. House candidate Justin Sternad surrendered himself in federal court Monday after he had pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations in a case linked to Republican ex-Rep. David Rivera.
While Sternad was originally sentenced to seven years in prison, his sentence was reduced to 30 days with three months of house arrest and probation.
"He has let me know that he's going to continue cooperating with whatever the Department of Justice wants him to do," said attorney Rick Yabor.
Sternad and co-defendant Ana Alliegro admitted their roles in a scheme to secretly finance Sternad's candidacy in the 2012 Democratic primary in an attempt to weaken eventual winner Joe Garcia. They say Rivera was behind the plan, but he has not been charged and denies wrongdoing.
Garcia defeated Rivera in the general election and is now seeking re-election to the 26th District seat.
