Today (Jun 6), James FOGLESONG (47), entered a plea to four (4) counts of Making a Contribution Through or in the Name of Another in Any Election (M1), and one (1) count of Making an Aggregate Cash Contribution in Excess of $50 to the Same Candidate in any Election (M1), for his role in the 2020 No Party Affiliation (NPA) candidate for the Florida Senate in District 9.

FOGLESONG was adjudicated guilty by Judge Donna Goerner and sentenced to one (1) year of consecutive probation for each of the five counts (total of 5 years), along with payment of investigative and court costs totaling $14,225.37.

Plea negotiations began after FOGLESONG offered to accept responsibility for his role in the effort to direct and fund the NPA campaign of “Ghost Candidate” Jestine IANNOTTI. Today’s agreement meets the standard previously announced by State Attorney Phil Archer to hold those who violate Florida campaign laws criminally responsible. It also ensures that FOGLESONG’s criminal history, that cannot be sealed or expunged, will reflect those convictions and serve as a deterrent to his participation in any future campaign.

IANNOTTI (38), who was also charged with criminal campaign violations is still awaiting trial. A third defendant, Benjamin PARIS (40), was found guilty in July of 2022 of one (1) count of Making a Contribution Through or in the Name of Another in any Election (M1).