The U.S. Court sentenced to four months in prison the man who fulfilled the photo to Eddie Rama with Barack Obama: Tears and Repentance

A man who made up an illegal contribution from a stranger to a joint committee to collect funds for President Barack Obama in 2012, was sentenced to four months' removal of freedom.

William Argeros had pleaded guilty in 2016 to this matter and false testimony to a grand jury, facing up to 24 months of freedom, under his plea agreement.

But the judge, Madeline Cox Arleo, noted the absence of 61-year-old preliminary criminal precedents and the belief that the $80,000 contribution was not intended to affect American elections.

American law forbids foreign citizens from contributing to federal candidates. Lawyer John Azzarelo, representing Mr. Argero, said his client was acting on behalf of a candidate for the prime minister's post in Albania, who wanted a photo conducted with Mr. Obama.

Lawyer Azarelo said the candidate was Edi Rama, who is currently prime minister of Albania. When the charges were issued in 2016, Mr. Rama's office denied being a source of contributions.

The U.S. prosecutor's office claimed that Mr. Argeros organized the contribution through a New Jersey resident, Bilal Shehu, who was sentenced on parole in 2017.

Judge Cox Arleo said he gave Mr. Argero a stricter sentence because he agreed to have lied to a great jury.

Mr. Argero lived in Tampa, Florida, when the charges were filed. He also spent many years in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where his work included serving on a prison advisory board and supporting the integration of prisoners, said lawyer Azzarelo. Some of his former colleagues wrote letters to Judge Cox Arleo to support him.

With tears in my eyes, Mr. Argero told the judge that I feel ashamed and take full responsibility for what I did” / VOA