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WASHINGTON (AP) — A onetime aide to former District of Columbia mayor Vincent Gray has been sentenced to six months in prison for his role in what federal prosecutors called a "shadow campaign." Vernon Hawkins was sentenced Tuesday. He pleaded guilty to lying about his role in funneling illegal money into Gray's 2010 campaign. He also admitted lying about his involvement in paying a witness to leave the District to avoid investigators. Hawkins is the second person to receive jail time for his role in the campaign. Prosecutors alleged that Gray knew about the illegal funds, but they ended the 5-year investigation in December without charging Gray, who has denied all wrongdoing. Gray lost his bid for re-election in the 2014 Democratic primary. He's now seeking a seat on the D.C. Council.

Former DC mayor's aide gets 6 months in 'shadow campaign'