Republican strategist gets two years for funneling Super Pac funds

WASHINGTON, June 13 (UPI) -- A former Republican political operative was sentenced Friday to two years in prison and another two years of probation in the first criminal case of illegal coordination between a campaign and a purportedly independent political ally.

Tyler Harber, convicted in February, told the court he knew he was guilty when he created and helped arrange for the super Pac National Republican Victory Fund to buy $325,000 in ads to help Republican Chris Perkins' 2012 House campaign. He received $9,100 for setting up the deal. He had pleaded guilty to one count of coordinated federal election contributions and one count of making false statements to the FBI.

"I'm guilty of this. I knew it was wrong when I did it," said Harber, 34, a resident of Alexandria, Va. "I got caught up in what politics has become."

Prosecutors said he used an alias and other means to deflect inquiries by a political party official. He also admitted that he told multiple lies when interviewed by the FBI.

Federal prosecutor said Harber's guilty plea and sentencing was "an important step forward in the criminal enforcement of federal campaign finance laws."

The case comes as the 2016 political season heats up. Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell said political operatives should "think twice about circumventing laws that promote transparency in federal elections."

"As the first conviction for illegal campaign coordination, this case stands as an important step forward in the criminal enforcement of federal campaign finance laws. Illegal campaign coordination can be difficult to detect, which is why we strongly encourage party or campaign insiders to come forward and blow the whistle," she said in a written statement.