Former political operative Steven Pigeon pleaded guilty to a federal election law violation in U.S. District Court in Buffalo on Tuesday.
Pigeon pleaded guilty to coordinating a $25,000 donation from a foreign national to the 2014 reelection campaign of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Previously in federal court, the 58-year-old Pigeon pleaded not guilty to bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy.
Pigeon's attorney, Paul Cambria, says the change came about because Pigeon was facing three seperate trials. Cambria says it would be difficult to be victorious when all three cases are related.
"That obviously had a major impact on the resolution and we're hopeful that we'll be able to persuade the judge to have a fair and appropriate sentence when the time comes. But it's over. We've wrapped everything up and three indictments are gone," Cambria said.
Pigeon is facing a maximum of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. But both are likely to be reduced at sentencing which is set for Jan. 25 before Judge Richard Acara.
It was just two weeks ago, in state court, that Pigeon pleaded guilty to a bribery charge.
