Waltz refused
The Chief Judge of the US District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has tossed a motion to overturn the federal prison sentence for ex-state Senator Brent Waltz.
Waltz, 52, was indicted in 2020 and convicted in 2022 for illegally funneling tens of thousands of dollars in casino cash to his congressional campaign and making false statements to federal investigators.
ends a “yearslong effort” by Waltz
Chief District Court Judge James R. Sweeney II’s decision on Monday, however, ends a “yearslong effort” by Waltz to get his ten-month jail sentence and probation thrown out.
The Republican from Greenwood reportedly served almost six months of his sentence in a Kentucky prison before being released to a halfway house and home confinement for six more weeks.
Despite serving his time and some probation, the ex-Indiana Senator, who served from 2004 to 2016, later filed a motion to overturn his plea deal and sentence.
Claims unwarranted
Waltz claimed his decision to enter a guilty plea was based on unsound advice from his ex-attorney, who he claimed failed to explain to him that taking the plea deal would likely lead to jail time.
Judge Sweeney, however, ruled on Monday that Waltz’s claims did “not warrant overturning his plea deal and sentence.”
The Indy Star cited Waltz stating via a phone interview that he was disappointed Sweeney upheld the sentence, adding: “I don’t have a very high opinion of him.”
The ex-Senator swore to continue his crusade to clear his name. “I am living, breathing proof that anyone can have their constitutional rights taken away from them unjustly.”
“I will fight for the rest of my life if need be to have those restored.”
Waltz’s fall began after he failed in his pursuit of the US House seat for the 9th Indiana Congressional District in 2016.
contributions from Indiana casino company New Centaur Inc.
Years later, a federal grand jury indicted Waltz for violating campaign finance laws, while accusing him of working with a political consultant Kelley Rogers to funnel contributions from Indiana casino company New Centaur Inc.
Desperate to win
To bypass campaign funding caps, the contributions were routed via fake contracts from New Centaur to Rogers. The consultant and Waltz then used the funds to “reimburse friends and family members for contributions to Waltz’s campaign.”
Waltz has admitted he pushed the consultant to raise funds fast, thinking his odds of winning were higher ”if he could pack his campaign war chest early.”
Despite admitting guilt, Waltz refutes “taking part in or having knowledge of the scheme” and states Rogers never implicated him.
