Ethics Newsline®

BOSTON
The former head of a political consulting firm was sentenced to five months in prison for his part in a scheme to impede Democratic get-out-the-vote efforts in New Hampshire in 2002.

Allen Raymond, former president of the Virginia-based Republican firm GOP Marketplace, worked with others to tie up phone lines used by Democratic voters requesting rides to polling places.

Raymond and two others — New Hampshire Republican Party former executive director Chuck McGee, and James Tobin, former regional chairman of President Bush’s campaign last year — also were indicted in the conspiracy.

McGee pleaded guilty, while Tobin pleaded not guilty and awaits trial, reported the Associated Press.

At last week’s sentencing, Raymond, who admitted his guilt last June, said his actions were “outside” his character, confessing that he “did a bad thing” in blocking access to the polls.

After his lawyer explained Raymond’s wrongdoing as the result of alleged pressure from senior Republican officials, the judge lashed out, according to the Washington Post.

“What about common sense?” U.S. District Judge Joseph DiClerico responded. “What about a personal moral compass?”