By Mary E. O'Leary and Jordan Fenster

Staff Reporters

NEW HAVEN — Five more people Thursday pleaded not guilty to federal conspiracy and election law violations in the 5th District campaign scandal involving a Waterbury smoke shop for a total of eight charged in the case that has roiled a congressional election in Western Connecticut.

The individuals face sentences of five years to 57 years with jury selection set for Oct. 10, long after both parties sort out their 5th District candidate choices in primaries on Aug. 14, but front and center in the news before the November election.

A total of $27,500 in illegal “conduit checks,” that is checks that hide the true identity of the donors, were all contributed to Democratic House Speaker Christopher Donovan's campaign for the 5th District seat and were signed by 11 individuals, according to the court documents.

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