Bera’s father admits illegal campaign contributions

New York, May 11 

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Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera's 83-year-old father has pleaded guilty to illegally funnelling over $260,000 to his son's congressional campaigns in violation of the US federal law.

Babulal Bera, who could be jailed for up to 30 months, pleaded guilty in Sacramento before US District Judge Troy Nunley in the Eastern District of California. A resident of California's La Palma, Babulal is scheduled to be sentenced by Nunley on August 4.

He admitted that in 2010 and 2012, he made the maximum allowable individual contributions to his son's congressional campaigns in two of California's districts during these years.

Babulal said he solicited friends, family members and acquaintances to make contributions, which he then reimbursed with his own funds to make campaign contributions in excess of the contribution limits established by federal law.

The government has identified over 130 improper campaign contributions involving approximately 90 contributors in the two elections. So far, the government has identified over $220,000 in reimbursed contributions relating to the 2010 campaign and over $40,000 in reimbursed contributions relating to the 2012 campaign.

Ami Bera is the only Indian-American lawmaker in the current Congress and is currently facing a tough re-election campaign against Sacramento Sheriff Scott Jones to keep his seat in the state's 7th congressional district. — PTI