In all. 19 Democratic candidates nationwide got the money shortly before the 1994 elections through a network of prominent IndianAmerican businessmen In Maryland. their families and employees of their companies. The donors then were reimbursed by Gadhia. who admitted yesterday that he used money from a minister at the Embassy of India In Washington. Under Foreign Election Commission rules. it is illegal for noncitizens to make political contributions or for anyone to make donations in another persons name. But Gadhia never informed donors that the money was coming from India--or told them that it was a crime to accept reimbursement for a donation. "The vast majority of people in the IndianAmerican community nationally are going to be appalled by this." said Subodh Chandra. 28. a Los Angeles lawyer who heads a political action committee that unwittingly receivedat least $31.400 of the illegal contributions from Gadhia. "We can only hope at this point that these were the acts of a lone bumbler or group of bumblers and not some sort of international intrigue involving the Indian government. Whatever the case may be. It has harmed an immigrant community in this country that has worked hard for political recognition." Chandra said. The scheme first came to light last year after a twomonth investigation by The Sun Into Chandras PAC. the IndianAmerican Leadership Investment Fund. Federal campaign finance records showed that almost all of the groups money came from Baltimore donors with ties to Gadhia. who then was Glendenings campaign treasurer.
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immigrant noncitizens