Former Senators Sentenced for Campaign Fund Misuse

Former Illinois State Senator Sam McCann was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for embezzling nearly $700,000 in campaign funds, despite pleading guilty to wire fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless emphasized McCann's lack of initial accountability and misuse of public trust in her sentencing. McCann, a former gubernatorial candidate, expressed remorse but was sentenced close to the maximum recommended time. In a separate case, former Tennessee Senator Brian Kelsey's 21-month prison sentence for campaign finance violations was upheld by a federal appeals panel after he unsuccessfully tried to withdraw his guilty plea.