“Shadow-campaign” architect Jeffrey Thompson close to plea deal

A plea agreement is pending for Jeffrey Thompson, the main suspect of an investigation surrounding D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, which has taken a momentous turn less than one month before the primary elections for mayoral race. Federal prosecutors figure Thompson is the architect in charge of the “shadow campaign,” which is an off-the-books effort to support Gray during his run for mayor in 2010. More than $60,000 was channeled into the campaign, led by Thompson and the investigation has been ongoing for approximately three years. Multiple associates of both Thompson and Gray have pleaded guilty to numerous charges circulating from the circumvention of campaign finance laws. Gray has denied any wrongdoing. He is running for reelection and will be in the primary race on April 1.