Man used $1 million from charity for politics

SPRINGFIELD, MO. » A political consultant from New Jersey pleaded guilty to conspiring with a former Arkansas lawmaker and Springfield, Missouri, charity executives to spend nearly $1 million on illegal political activity.

Sixty-two-year-old Donald Andrew Jones, of Willingboro, New Jersey, pleaded guilty Monday to conspiring to steal from an organization that receives federal funds. Jones’ firm, D.A. Jones and Associates, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, consults with advocacy and political services.

Prosecutors say Preferred Family Healthcare, a nonprofit based in Springfield, paid Jones about $973,000 for illegal lobbying and political activity.

Five unnamed co-conspirators who worked for Preferred Family have not been charged. Prosecutors say one co-conspirator was an Arkansas lobbyist and former state legislator.

Senate passes bill to let some re-enroll in pension

TRENTON » The New Jersey Senate approved a bill to allow a handful of public officials to re-enroll in the pension system after being kicked off when elected to a new office.

The Democrat-led Senate passed the measure Monday, 24-8.

Senate President Stephen Sweeney has said the bill corrects an oversight in the 2007 law that established a 401(k)-style retirement plan for newly elected officials.