New Jersey Man Gets Two Years Probation For Campaign Violations

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - A New Jersey man has been sentenced to two years of probation for his admitted role in conspiring with his brother to violate federal elections laws.

Benedetto Bigica, 46, of Elmwood Park apologized for his actions in a Newark federal court Tuesday after pleading guilty to a count of conspiring to violate the Federal Election Campaign Act.

Prosecutors say Bigica and his brother, Joseph Bigica of Franklin Lakes, conspired to make more than $21,000 in illegal contributions to the campaign committee of a federal candidate.

Joseph Bigica was sentenced in December to five years in prison for failing to pay taxes and making illegal campaign donations to U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez.

Benedetto Bigica had faced up to five years in prison.

No one associated with the campaign has been accused of wrongdoing.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)