Maker of Highly Successful Anti-Obama Documentary Indicted for Allegedly Violating U.S. Election Law

 

Dinesh D’Souza during a radio interview. Photo Credit: www.christianitytoday.com

NEW YORK (TheBlaze/AP) — A conservative scholar and author known recently for his critical works on President Barack Obama has been indicted in New York on charges he violated campaign finance laws.

Federal prosecutors announced the charges Thursday against Dinesh D’Souza, who made the anti-Obama documentary “2016: Obama’s America.” They say he’ll be arraigned Friday on charges he directed $20,000 in illegal contributions to be made in the New York Senate race in 2012. The funds allegedly headed to the Wendy Long campaign, who unsuccessfully ran for Hillary Clinton’s U.S. Senate seat.

D’Souza found out he was being investigated by the feds in the mid-2013, months after his anti-Obama documentary earned roughly $33 million at the box office, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The film went on to become the second most popular political documentary in U.S. history.

Prosecutors say the San Diego resident was charged with causing the illegal campaign contributions to be made and causing false statements to be made in connection with them. They say the criminal case resulted from a routine review by the FBI of campaign filings by various candidates after the Senate race.

A defense attorney says D’Souza didn’t act with any corrupt or criminal intent.

But Gerald Molen, a co-producer of “2016,” told THR that the charges are politically motivated.

“In America, we have a long tradition of not doing what is commonly done in too many other countries — criminalizing dissent through the selective enforcement of the law,” he said.

The producer argues it’s obvious that D’Souza is being singled-out over an “an alleged minor violation.” He also connected what he believes to be political targeting in this case to the targeting done by the IRS.

“In light of the recent events and the way the IRS has been used to stifle dissent, this arrest should send shivers down the spines of all freedom-loving Americans,” Molen added.

Re-blogged from The Blaze

 

Maker of Highly Successful Anti-Obama Documentary Indicted for Allegedly Violating U.S. Election Law
Associated Press
Thu, 23 Jan 2014 23:55:39 GMT