Ohio telemarketer sentenced to 15 months in prison

CLEVELAND (AP) — A northeast Ohio telemarketing millionaire has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison after being convicted of witness tampering in a case involving campaign contributions to two prominent Republicans.

A U.S. District Court jury convicted 73-year-old Ben Suarez in June of witness tampering but acquitted him of illegal campaign contributions and other charges. He was sentenced today.

The charges concerned Suarez allegedly funneling $100,000 each to the 2012 campaigns of U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci and the failed U.S. Senate bid of Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel. Neither politician was accused of wrongdoing. Both campaigns returned the money after learning of an FBI investigation.

Prosecutors were seeking a prison sentence of as much as eight years. His attorneys were seeking probation.