Woman Avoids Jail Over DNC Contributions
WASHINGTON — A Thai businesswoman charged with campaign finance violations was sentenced Friday to three years of probation and six months of house arrest and was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine, the Justice Department said.
Pauline Kanchanalak pleaded guilty in June to making illegal contributions of more than $690,000 to Democrats in return for access to former President Clinton and other officials.
She admitted using accounts of her sister-in-law and mother-in-law to give more than $457,000 to the Democratic National Committee and five state Democratic committees in connection with a June 18, 1996, coffee at the White House.
In addition to probation and electronically monitored home confinement, Kanchanalak also must perform 200 hours of community service under the sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman.
Prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of six months to a year.
Kanchanalak’s sister-in-law, Duangnet “Georgie” Kronenberg, pleaded guilty last year to one count of making an illegal corporate contribution to the DNC. She was put on probation for 18 months and ordered to pay a $1,500 fine, the Justice Department said.
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