Aide to Ex-Congressman Robert Wexler Pleads Guilty in Mysterious Kickback, False Testimony Case

An aide and fund-raiser for former Congressman Robert Wexler, has been sentenced to a year's probation and fined $3,200 for giving the Internal Revenue Service false information about a $15,000 kickback she received in a real estate deal mixed up in Democrat Wexler's campaign.

Even after the sentencing, the case remains a mystery. It was a joint FBI/IRS money-laundering investigation that led to the criminal charge against Daniella Howard.

In a comprehensive story Tuesday on BrowardBulldog.Org, reporter Dan Christensen details the story of Howard, 44, of Pompano Beach, who could have drawn up to a year in prison and a fine of $10,000 on the misdemeanor charge. In fact, she still faces possible civil tax penalties.

The fast-moving case stayed low-key to the end. Charges were filed April 11, and by April 15, Howards plea was taken and a judge had pronounced sentence. The U.S. attorneys office didn't even issue a press release.

We dont really have a comment, Assistant U.S. Attorney Marlene Rodriguez told Christensen.

The story claims that on Feb. 4, Howard, also known as Daniella Acosta, signed a plea agreement with Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Carlton. Carlton is a public corruption prosecutor based in West Palm Beach.

Former Congressman Wexler was Howard's boss. The self-described "fire-breathing liberal" Wexler represented parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties in Congress until he abruptly quit with little explanation in October 2009.
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