In a state Senate race in central Florida on Tuesday, a political adviser accused of helping to put a “ghost candidate” on the ballot to siphon votes away from a Democratic nominee told his first court appearance Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty to charges related to election finance.
James “Eric” Foglesong pleaded guilty at an arraignment hearing in Seminole County Court.
In May, prosecutors charged Foglesong; candidate, Jestine Iannotti; and Seminole County Republican Party Chairman Ben Paris.
According to Florida law enforcement, Iannotti illegally accepted a $1,200 cash donation from Foglesong for her campaign. The FDLE said Iannoitti and Foglesong incorrectly used other people’s names as donors in state campaign finance reports to circumvent Florida’s laws on campaign contributions.
The Seminole County race is one of three state Senate races in which independent candidates applied but did not run in 2020.
The candidates were promoted in an advertising blitz paid for by a dark-money nonprofit run by consultants working closely with Florida Power & Light, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
In another race, former state senator Frank Attils was accused of bribing friends to run. Artiles has also pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to stand trial next month.
Iannotti and Paris have entered a state of innocence.
