Thompson met the operatives in the autumn of 1979 and, the indictment said, accepted $50,000 through Criden in return for promises to introduce private immigration bills and to press the immigration service. DOJ says Thompson’s share was about $20,000. [1][2]
He also introduced Criden to Representative John Murphy and later steered John Murtha to a meeting. Murtha testified at the trial that Thompson told him the three of them would split $50,000; Murtha said he wanted no part of it. [1][3]
The jury convicted Thompson of conspiracy, bribery and a gratuity and acquitted him of conflict of interest. He had already lost his seat in November 1980 and resigned in December. Judge Pratt sentenced him on 13 August 1981. [1][2]
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