Michael A. Liberty, a well-known real estate developer and philanthropist from Gray, pleaded guilty Monday, Nov. 28, to making illegal campaign contributions during the 2012 presidential election.

Liberty, 56, who now lives in Windermere, Florida, admitted in U.S. District Court to making political contributions under other people’s names during the primaries for the 2012 U.S. Presidential election. According to the Liberty Family Foundation, a charitable organization Liberty started about five years ago, the donations were to Mitt Romney’s campaign.

Liberty’s attorney, George J. Marcus, said in a news release from the foundation that Liberty regrets his actions and pleaded guilty in order to put the matter behind him.

Between May and June 2011, Liberty made $22,500 in contributions through nine employees, associates and family members to Romney’s campaign. According to the foundation’s statement, the contributions were made following an agreement with friends and colleagues to reimburse them for contributions made to the campaign.

Liberty faces up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Liberty grew up in the Dry Mills section of Gray and attended Gray-New Gloucester High School. Following his successes in real estate and other ventures, he established the Liberty Family Foundation, which donates to local charities, about five years ago.

His most recent business is Mozido, a banking system based through mobile phones.

The Family Foundation’s legal counsel, Severin Beliveau, wrote, “I know Michael to be a person who truly cares about and aims to provide assistance in the communities he values and improve the lives of others in need. I look forward to his continued generosity with the foundation and its charitable activities.”

Michael Liberty