Philadelphia

Bob Brady Aide Convicted of Paying Off Congressman's Political Rival During '12 Election

Federal prosecutors say Smukler orchestrated a scheme in which the Brady campaign made an illegal $90,000 donation to Moore to get him to drop out of the race.

What to Know

  • Political consultant Ken Smukler was convicted of paying off Democratic U.S. Rep. Bob Brady’s political rival during the 2012 election.
  • Smukler orchestrated an illegal $90,000 donation to Brady's opponent Jimmie Moore to get him to drop out of the race.
  • Brady has denied wrongdoing and hasn't been charged. Moore and his campaign aide already have pleaded guilty.

A long-time Philadelphia area political consultant was convicted Monday of paying off Democratic U.S. Rep. Bob Brady’s political rival during the 2012 election.

Kenneth Smukler, 57, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, two counts of causing unlawful campaign contributions, one count of causing false campaign expenditure reports, two counts of causing false statements, two counts of making contributions in the name of another, and one count of obstruction.

The conviction is in relation to the 2012 Democratic primary election for Pennsylvania’s First Congressional District in which Congressman Brady ran against former Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Jimmie Moore.

Federal prosecutors say Smukler orchestrated a scheme in which the Brady campaign made an illegal $90,000 donation to Moore to get him to drop out of the race. Smukler arranged for the Moore campaign to receive the money.

“Smukler was the mastermind of multiple crooked political schemes,” U.S. Attorney William McSwain wrote. “He showed a true pattern of deception by misusing funds and lying to corrupt the entire political process. The only way to guarantee open and fair elections is to have everyone play by the same rules. Smukler ignored those rules and broke the law so that his candidates could try to win at all costs. We are grateful that the jury saw through his lies and held him accountable for his widespread criminal conduct.”

Smukler’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 13, 2019.

Brady has denied wrongdoing and hasn't been charged. Moore and his campaign aide already have pleaded guilty.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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