Admitted Money Launderer Sentenced in NJ Corruption Sting

An Israeli citizen who was arrested in New Jersey's largest corruption and money laundering sting three years ago has been sentenced to prison.

A federal judge in Trenton sentenced Levi Deutsch to 18 months and ordered him to forfeit $25,000.

Deutsch pleaded guilty last year to one count of money laundering conspiracy.

Prosecutors say the Brooklyn, N.Y., resident was part of a scheme to illegally launder money through religious charities. They say he and others took $200,000 in checks from government informant Solomon Dwek and returned about 90 percent of it in cash after taking a percentage as a fee.

Dwek allegedly told Deutsch that the money came from the sale of counterfeit handbags.

About two-thirds of the 46 people arrested in the sting have pleaded guilty or been convicted.