Frank Artiles Sentenced for Election Conspiracy

Former Florida Senator Frank Artiles was sentenced to 60 days in jail and five years probation following his conviction on three charges related to a 'ghost candidate' scheme in the 2020 election. He was found guilty of making illegal campaign contributions, conspiring to do so, and falsifying a candidate oath, but acquitted of voter registration falsification. The case involved Artiles allegedly paying $50,000 to Alex Rodriguez, who ran as a no-party candidate to siphon votes from Democratic incumbent Jose Javier Rodriguez. The sentence has been stayed pending an appeal, with a hearing set for December 18. Artiles' defense argued for leniency, citing his lack of prior arrests and comparing his case to that of a Democratic legislator who received a lighter sentence for similar offenses. The judge acknowledged Artiles' past charitable work while imposing the sentence.