Sentence 12 years for peddling influence

LOS ANGELES — A once high-flying political fundraiser who prosecutors said gave illegal campaign contributions to Joe Biden, Lindsey Graham and a host of other U.S. politicians has been sentenced to 12 years behind bars.

Imaad Zuberi, a Los Angeles businessman was accused of ingratiating himself with politicians in both major parties and peddling the resulting influence to foreign governments, pleaded guilty to charges of tax evasion, campaign-finance violations and failing to register as a foreign agent.

During his sentencing Thursday, he also was ordered to pay nearly $16 million in restitution and a nearly $2 million fine. Federal prosecutors described Zuberi, who reports to prison May 25, as a “mercenary” political donor who gave to anyone he thought could help him. Pay to play, he explained to clients, was just “how America work(s).”

Zuberi, 50, maintained that his wrongdoing had been limited and asked to be credited for years of cooperation with federal and local law enforcement agencies. His attorneys noted he already has paid more than $10 million in restitution. Prosecutors said he did unregistered lobbying for governments with spotty human-rights records like Sri Lanka and Turkey as well as a Ukrainian oligarch close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“This case shows that foreign influence extends well beyond what has been frequently discussed in public discourse,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel O’Brien.