Is this a case of too many stones being thrown inside a glass house?

Conservative pundit and author Dinesh D’Souza was indicted this past Thursday after being charged with the violation of federal campaign laws. He’s expected to be arraigned by this afternoon.

D’Souza’s troubles began when members of the FBI noticed some discrepancies during a routine review of campaign filings with the FEC after the 2012 election period.

Allegedly, the controversial author encouraged individuals to make huge campaign donations to an unnamed individual running for office. He then compensated them for their donations. The donations, which are said to have been upwards of $20,000, far exceeded the set limit of $2,500 per donation.

The authorities followed up on the matter immediately, which Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara credits to the “zero tolerance approach to corruption of the electoral process.”

influencing elections through bogus campaign contributions is a serious crime Limbaugh's hero D’Souza indited http://t.co/ecTEoqCd4M

— Frank Schaeffer (@Frank_Schaeffer) January 24, 2014

They are going after the Obama critics with indictments. VA Gov. Now Dinesh D'souza. Holder unleashing the dogs…

— MATT DRUDGE (@DRUDGE) January 23, 2014

Dinesh D'Souza's indictment was just the latest event in his year-plus-long downward spiral: http://t.co/8FFSXt3ezd

— David Sessions (@davidsess) January 24, 2014

Bharara said that the charges were “a serious violation of federal campaign finance laws,” but according to D’Souza’s lawyer Benjamin Brafman, it was just D’Souza trying to help someone he cared about.

In a statement, Brafman called the situation, “at most an act of misguided friendship.”

The unnamed “friend” in this instance is thought to have been Senate candidate Wendy Long (R), who was defeated by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D).

D’Souza and Long knew each other from when they both attended Dartmouth College. In addition, his name was present on an invitation for a fundraiser that he apparently co-hosted in support of Long.

This “straw donor” case could land D’Souza in jail for several years if he is hit with the maximum for the charges. He faces one count of making illegal campaign contributions and one count of causing false statements to be made to the FEC.

D’Souza, was also weathering a personal scandal in relation to claiming to be engaged to one woman while still married to his wife of 20 years.

Again, glass houses and stones. When you make a career of throwing them as some pundits have, it’s best to not be surprised when the glass shards come tumbling down on you.

Image via Wikimedia Commons