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Things are just getting worse for disgraced former Rep. David Rivera. Justin “Lamar” Sternad, a ringer candidate in the Democratic primary against Rivera’s opponent Joe Garcia, pleaded guilty today in federal court. As part of the plea, Sternad has agreed to help investigators build their case against Rivera.
Rivera is believed to have financed Sternad’s bizarre campaign. A political unknown who worked in a hotel, Sternad focused his campaign on attacking Garcia instead of going after Rivera. Sternad lost his primary bid, and Garcia went on to defeat Rivera this past December.
According to the Miami Herald, Sternad pleaded guilty to making false statements and accepting illegal campaign contributions. He could face up to five years in prison, but prosecutors will ask for a reduced sentence in exchange for cooperating with the Rivera investigation.
Sternad’s Democratic campaign was run by Ana Alliegro, a self-described “Republican Bad Girl” and close friend of Rivera’s. When news of the scandal broke, Alliegro skipped town. Her whereabouts are currently unknown. It’s believed that Rivera was financing Sternad’s campaign.
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With Alliegro missing, Sternad’s cooperation could be key to building a case against Rivera.
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