Sen. Robert Menendez's campaign office says it will give away almost $20,000 he received from a northern New Jersey insurance company owner who pleaded guilty to making illegal campaign contributions.

Senator Bob Menendez
loading...

Joseph Bigica pleaded guilty in federal court in Newark on Wednesday.

The 46-year-old Franklin Lakes resident admitted recruiting straw donors, including family members, to make $98,000 in illegal contributions to a federal candidate.

The candidate was not identified in court, but election disclosure forms show that Bigica and his relatives donated about $30,000 to Menendez between 1998 and 2009.

A Menendez spokesman says the senator will donate about $19,000 received in the current election cycle to two charities.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM