Former Aide Of City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown Sentenced To One Year In Federal Prison
by Tim Jimenez
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Tuesday was sentencing day for a former aide to Philadelphia city councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown. John McDaniel is now facing jail time; months after pleading guilty to stealing more than $100,000 from the councilwoman's campaign.
John McDaniel, 39, is now facing a year and a day in federal prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Gray says McDaniel's punishment should serve notice to others.
"Theft of campaign funds and other funds out there in the political area have a corrosive affect of the public's confidence in the political system and in the ability for law enforcement to police that system," said Gray.
McDaniel pleaded guilty to taking more than $100,000 from Councilwoman Reynolds-Brown's 2011 campaign account. He wrote and cashed checks to himself for personal and non-election use.
"Concealed the thefts by supplying false invoices and false expenditures in the campaign reports," said Gray.
McDaniel, also a former city paid airport employee, may get out before the year is up for good behavior. His attorney Charles Gibbs says it's a sad day for them but they respect the decision.
"We respect the court's decision. We think it was a well-reasoned decision. But the reality is it's a sad day for my client, for his family and really for the entire city. But (McDaniel) is looking forward to getting on with the next stage of his life," said Gibbs.
Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, through a spokesman, refused to comment on the sentencing.
