Dinesh D’Souza made a movie about Barack Obama’s history. The White House did not like that at all.
The DoJ and the FBI were spun into action to dig up anything they could find on D’Souza and found a case where there was a straw-man campaign contribution made for $20,000. The New York attorney for Manhattan, Preet Bharara, an Obama appointee indicted D’Souza and he was sentenced to house arrest, community service and a fine. This is important because there was a case in much earlier in the year of 2014 that was much more serious and egregious.
Sant Singh Chatwal pled guilty to evading federal election campaign and witness tampering by attempting to obstructing the grand jury. His monetary donation was $180,000 through straw donors as well and they too were reimbursed. For the full summary found on the Justice Department website, click here.
Chatwal was merely sentenced to 3 years probation and a $500,000 fine. He called on many people of influence to write letters on his behalf to present to the court speaking to his generosity and community service. On the other hand, he was also known for saying in order to gain access for influence of politicians, money was the key, and he used it.
From the NYT‘s: Looking deeper at the connections to the Clintons and the White House we see several relationships.
Mr. Chatwal, 70, is the president of Hampshire Hotels and Resorts, and his business consists of 12 hotels and 36 restaurants and bars. He leads a lively social life, as seen in the New York magazine feature on his son Vikram’s wedding and in state dinners at the White House.
He pleaded guilty in April to sending more than $180,000 in campaign contributions from 2007 to 2011 to three federal candidates, identified as Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut and Representative Kendrick B. Meek of Florida. There is a limit on how much individuals can contribute to campaigns, so Mr. Chatwal devised an illegal straw donor scheme, prosecutors said, asking acquaintances to give, then reimbursing them.
Vikram Chatwal, a former model and actor who has dated celebrities like Gisele Bündchen and now works in the hotel business, “while able to pursue business interests when healthy, has suffered from severe alcohol and drug dependence for more than a decade,” the submission read.
Vivek Chatwal, whose wedding at the Tavern on the Green was attended by Bill and Hillary Clinton and Senator Charles E. Schumer, is afflicted with a disease or problem that was excised from the sentencing memorandum, but requires treatment by psychiatrists. “Vivek cannot be left alone,” the document noted, explaining that he is brought daily to Mr. Chatwal’s office where he or an employee watches him.
Most noteworthy of these two cases is they both had the same judge, I. Leo Glasser. Any more questions of the power of money, influence or favoritism?
