Gray Campaign Official Admits to Paying Sulaimon Brown

Thomas Gore, the former assistant treasurer for Mayor Vincent Gray's 2010 campaign, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and campaign finance violations in court Tuesday.

Gore, 56, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Tuesday.

He pleaded guilty to "one count of obstructing justice by destroying records in a federal investigation and three counts of making a campaign contribution in the name of another person," according to a press release from the FBI.

Though the obstruction charge could carry up to 20 years in prison and a fine, the agreed upon sentencing range would be between 12 and 18 months in prison and a possible fine of $3,000 to $30,000, according to the FBI release.

In a sworn statement, Gore admitted to planning and authorizing the distribution of money orders to Sulaimon Brown, given in the names of other people who did not make those contributions. The scheme began in June 2010 and, according to Gore's statement, amounted to five donations totalling $660.

Brown later claimed that he received such contributions and was promised a job in exchange for his attacks on fellow candidate, Mayor Adrian Fenty.

When the FBI announced it would be investigating Brown's claims, Gore admitted to destroying a notebook in which he recorded the contributions.

“In 2010, the voters of the District of Columbia were deceived,” said U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen in a prepared statement. “Envelopes stuffed with fraudulent money orders prevented the public from knowing that one mayoral campaign was secretly financing the campaign of an opposing candidate."

No sentencing date was set for Gore who will be cooperating with authorities as they continue their investigation.