A man described as a “long time Republican consultant” will be spending the next 18 months in an Iowa prison for arranging a campaign contribution for a Russian national to Trump in the 2016 campaign. It was only the second time that Jesse Benton, 45, of Texas, has been convicted of a campaign violation.

From Yahoo News:

Benton had charged Russian national Roman Vasilenko $100,000 to have a picture taken with Trump on Sept. 22, 2016, at the Ritz Carlton in Philadelphia, according to court records.

Benton’s company Titan Strategies pocketed $75,000 of the fee and passed along the remaining $25,000 as a contribution to Trump’s campaign committee, Trump Victory, and the Republican National Committee.

Trump Victory, the Trump campaign and RNC each unwittingly reported falsely to the Federal Election Commission that Benton made the contribution rather than Vasilenko, according to court records. Foreigners aren’t allowed to contribute to U.S. campaigns.

Unwittingly? I hope they have solid evidence beyond just “No, I didn’t know” from a parade of GOP operatives to confirm that it was “unwitting.” The only thing that makes the “unwitting” thing believable is that Benton charged $100K, kept $75,000 for himself, and only donated $25,000 to Trump’s fund. If Trump or anyone knew that he was keeping 75%… well, I don’t see how that would go over well.

Had there only been one more zero on that $75,000, there are a lot of Trump hangers-on that would trade the 18 months in prison. Hell, if I didn’t have a 15-year-old daughter to raise, and someone let me have a laptop and wifi, I might agree to live in prison for 18 months for $750,000… Nah. It’s kind of amazing he got caught.

****

[email protected], @JasonMiciak, SUBSTACK: A PRESIDENT AHEAD OF HIS TIME, JIMMY CARTER ENTERS HOSPICE AS THE BEST EX-PRESIDENT OF OUR LIFETIMES