Former campaign aide to DC mayor enter plea

A former campaign aide to Mayor Vincent Gray has pleaded guilty to lying to federal agents investigating campaign finance violations.

Vernon Hawkins, a volunteer advisor for Gray’s 2010 campaign, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in federal court to one count of making a false statement.

Hawkins acknowledged that he gave a catering company owner money to leave town so that the person would not be available to meet with authorities conducting an investigation in to Gray’s campaign.

Hawkins later led during a conversation with the FBI, claiming he never told anyone to get out of town.

Hawkins faces up to five hears in prison, but guidelines for this sentence recommend between zero and sixteen months in prison.

Hawkins will return to court Nov 12.