A former labor union official will spend six months in a halfway house for his role in a conspiracy to funnel illegal campaign contributions to former Connecticut House Speaker Christopher Donovan.
Harry Raymond Soucy, 61, of Naugatuck, pleaded guilty last year to wire fraud and conspiracy charges. He's a former state correctional officer and was one of eight people convicted.
The Connecticut Mirror reports that Judge Janet Bond Arterton pointed to the role of his cooperation with the government in the sentence. U.S. sentencing guidelines recommended 24 to 30 months in prison. Soucy will also serve three years of probation.
Earlier this year, Donovan's chief fundraiser, Robert Braddock Jr., was sentenced to 38 months in prison for his role in the scheme. Joshua Nassi, Donovan's top legislative and campaign aide, was sentenced to 28 months in prison in September.
Donovan wasn't charged and has denied wrongdoing. When the indictment was released, Donovan was the front-runner in the primary race, but eventually lost to Elizabeth Esty, who went on to win the general election.
Prosecutors said the scheme funneled $27,500 to Donovan's congressional campaign, to try to get Donovan to kill proposed state legislation to raise taxes on roll-your-own cigarette shops. The smoke shop owners were coached by Soucy on how to make the donations. The bill was eventually approved.
Information from the Associated Press included in this report.
