The former head of the Kentucky Democratic Party was sentenced to nearly two years in prison for his role in a scheme to funnel thousands of dollars into his daughter’s failed 2014 campaign for U.S. Senate.
Jerry Lundergan, Kentucky’s former Democratic Party chief, was given a 21-month prison sentence by Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove on Thursday. Due to concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, Lundergan, 73, will not have to report to prison until next winter.
Tatenhove received dozens of letters pledging support for Lundergan amid the case, including one from former President Bill Clinton and another on notebook paper from a former homeless man given a job with Lundergan’s company, WKYT reported.
Last year, Lundergan was convicted of being part of a scheme to funnel more than $200,000 in illegal campaign donations to the Senate campaign of his daughter, Alison Lundergan Grimes, the Courier-Journal reported.
“These are important laws that regulate the integrity of our elections,” said Robert M. Duncan Jr., the U.S. attorney for Kentucky’s Eastern District. “A jury convicted them and the court has now sentenced them for their crimes.”
The case had been investigated by the FBI.
Lundergan’s attorney indicated they intend to appeal the judge’s sentence.
“But I am appreciative of the court of understanding the quality and character of of my client Jerry Lundergan, varying substantially below what the guidelines would have recommended,” said defense attorney Guthrie True. “But as the court noted today, we will be off to the court of appeals.”
