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Ex-New Jersey Senate Staffer Gets Home Confinement, Probation in Campaign Fraud Scheme
Antonio Teixeira, a former staffer in the NJ Senate, sentenced for his role in a fraudulent campaign finance scheme involving fake invoices, tax evasion, and concealed kickbacks.
Newark, NJ - A notable former New Jersey Senate staff member was sentenced to eight months of home confinement and three years of probation today for his involvement in a scheme to defraud various campaigns, political action committees (PACs), and IRS 501(c)(4) organizations, revealed U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Antonio Teixeira, 44, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, had earlier pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and another of tax evasion before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez. The sentencing took place today in Newark federal court.
From 2014 to 2018, Teixeira collaborated with Sean Caddle and his political consulting firms to devise a fraudulent scheme, exploiting their roles in political campaigns, PACs, and 501(c)(4) organizations. Teixeira's illicit gains from this scheme remained unreported on the tax forms he filed with the IRS during the period.
Teixeira was formerly the chief of staff for a New Jersey state senator who had hired Caddle to establish PACs and 501(c)(4) organizations for various purposes, such as supporting certain local candidates. The now-convicted ex-staffer exerted influence over the consultants hired and the budgets allocated by these organizations.
The duo was found to have conspired to fraudulently inflate the invoices submitted to the campaigns and organizations by Caddle's consulting firms. This was done using fictitious campaign-related expenses. Teixeira and Caddle then agreed to split the difference between the actual campaign expenses and the inflated figures. The former received more than $100,000, part of which was handed over in cash while the rest was covertly channeled via checks issued to his relatives.
Despite using these illicit gains for personal expenses, Teixeira failed to report this income on his tax forms throughout the duration of the fraudulent scheme.
In addition to his home confinement and probation, Judge Vazquez ordered Teixeira to pay restitution.
The successful conclusion of this case comes thanks to the investigative work of the FBI, led by Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, and special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, led by Special Agent in Charge Tammy L. Tomlins.
Representing the government in this case are Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee M. Cortes Jr. and Sean Farrell, Chief, New York Office, Department of Justice, Antitrust Division.
