Court upholds conviction of Nevada lobbyist over contributions to Sen. Harry Reid's campaign

A federal appeals court has upheld the conviction of a former Nevada lobbyist accused of making illegal campaign contributions to Sen. Harry Reid's 2010 reelection campaign.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday rejected F. Harvey Whittemore's contention that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to convict him.

Prosecutors say Whittemore promised to raise money for Reid in 2007 and distributed $145,000 to 17 relatives and employees, each of whom then made the maximum contribution of $4,600 to Reid's campaign.

Whittemore was convicted of making excessive campaign contributions and making contributions in the name of another. He was sentenced to two years in prison.

Reid, a Nevada Democrat, was not accused of any wrongdoing. He was required to amend his campaign reports.

A call to an attorney for Whittemore was not immediately returned.