Tsongas Aide Stole $1 Million From Campaign

Nicholas A. Rizzo Jr., the chief fund-raiser for Paul E. Tsongas, pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges that he stole more than $1 million from his longtime friend’s 1992 presidential campaign.

Under terms of a plea bargain, U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro sentenced Rizzo, 59, to serve 52 months in prison, pay $600,000 to the government and pay $899,000 in restitution.

In a brief statement before sentencing, Rizzo said that he took responsibility for his acts and promised to pay his creditors. “If I ever have the ability to earn money, I will pay them back,” he said.

According to the government, Tsongas approached Rizzo in 1991 and asked him to raise money for his presidential crusade. From the start, Rizzo set up a secret bank account and diverted funds to it.

“He stated that once he started taking, he couldn’t stop,” said Brian O’Connor, assistant U.S. attorney.

In all, Rizzo admitted gathering more than $1 million in campaign donations, illegal campaign loans and commingled funds into the account. He used the money to repay legitimate personal bank loans and to pay debts on sports and casino gambling, which ran as high as $50,000 a week.