Father of Rep. Ami Bera (D., Calif.), Babual Bera, has pled guilty to illegally donating to his son's congressional campaign to the tune of $268,326.
The elder Bera entered his plea in federal court in Sacremento, California on Tuesday and will be sentenced in August. The Los Angeles Times reports that prosecutors are recommending that Bera face up to two-and-a-half years in prison.
Bera had solicited more than 130 improper donations for his son's campaign, and then paid back those donors, in essence, donating more than maximum amount allowed by law through others' names.
Bera said that he and his campaign staff had no knowledge of the illegal activities and were disappointed.
Bera emigrated from India to the United States in the 1950s and is a retired engineer.
He first ran for office in 2010 but did not win until 2012. He is expected to be in a very tight race this year as he faces Scott Jones, the Sacramento County Sheriff. Bera is under fire for supporting the Trans-Pacific Partnership and has been criticized by labor unions for that.
Bera's challenger in 2014, former Rep. Doug Ose (R., Calif.), was in attendance in the courtroom during the proceedings.