Lawyer sentenced in cash cover up

MIAMI, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Federal prosecutors say a Miami lawyer has been sentenced to two years in prison for helping cover up an $8,000 donation to Argentina's president.

Moises Maionica, a 37-year-old Venezuelan national, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Joan Lenard, The Miami Herald reported.

Maionica had pleaded guilty to acting as an unregistered agent for the Venezuelan government, the Herald reported Tuesday, noting three other defendants have been charged in the case.

Prosecutors alleged the cash belonged to a Venezuelan oil company and was to be a campaign gift for Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez. Maionica allegedly was enlisted by the Venezuelan government to help cover up the donation after a Florida businessman was caught with the cash in a suitcase in Argentina last year, the Herald reported.

Monday, Maionica told the court he was filled with shame for what he had done and regretted ever becoming involved.