Venezuelan lawyer gets to 2 years in suitcase plea
MIAMI (AP) -- A Venezuelan lawyer sent to the U.S. by President Hugo Chavez's government to help cover up a cash suitcase political scandal has been handed a two-year prison sentence by a U.S. judge.
The sentence Monday for Moises Maionica (MOY'-sez my-ON'-ica) came after he pleaded guilty to illegal foreign agent and conspiracy charges. Maionica has already spent a year in jail. Maionica cooperated fully with prosecutors and testified against another Venezuelan who was convicted.
Prosecutors said Maionica and other South Americans came to Miami last year to cover up the source of the suitcase filled with $800,000 in Venezuelan oil money. Testimony indicated Venezuela intended the cash for the 2007 campaign of Argentine President Cristina Fernandez.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
