A San Diego lobbyist who federal prosecutors say conspired to funnel illegal campaign funds to local politicians is expected to be released on bail.
Marco Polo Cortes was granted a $100,000 bond secured by real property, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Diego. Cortes will remain in custody until it is posted.
Cortes has been jailed since Jan. 21 for his alleged involvement in an elaborate scheme to help a Mexican businessman — whom sources have identified as Jose Susumo Azano Matsura — contribute to the campaign of four San Diego politicians.
Cortes was named in a federal complaint detailing the scheme that was unsealed last week.
A separate federal complaint identified retired San Diego police detective Ernesto Encinas and Washington, D.C.-based campaign services CEO Ravneet Singh, as co-conspirators.
All three men face five years behind bars and $250,000 fine.
Azano has not been charged but reportedly has hired a D.C. law firm to help in a potential defense. Last week, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents raided two Coronado homes linked to Azano.
A preliminary hearing for Cortes, Encinas and Singh is set for Feb. 4.
