Judge rejects congressman's plea as Kelce-linked fraud defendant receives 11-year sentence

Sid Jawahar was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for a multimillion-dollar wire fraud scheme that prosecutors say used new investors' money to repay older financiers and fund a lavish lifestyle; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was named as a victim in court records; U.S. Rep. Sam Graves sought leniency with a letter on congressional letterhead, but Judge Bluestone rejected the request; restitution has not yet been paid, and Jawahar faces possible deportation after serving his term; prosecutors also cited efforts to influence the judge through the political consulting firm Axiom Strategies.