CLEVELAND—North Canton businessman Ben Suarez was found not guilty of violating campaign finance laws.

Suarez, 72, faced eight counts, including violating campaign finance laws and obstructing justice. Suarez was found guilty on one count, witness tampering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. Sentencing is set for Oct. 7.

Suarez's company and co-defendant in the case, Suarez Corporation Industries, was found not guilty on all counts.

"The 500 people who work for SCI know they can go to work tomorrow and the lights will be on and they can keep earning a living for their families," said defense attorney Ian Friedman.

Federal prosecutors accused Suarez of orchestrating about $200,000 in illegal donations to U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci and Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, during his failed Senate run. Suarez used employees at his company as straw donors to make the contributions in exchange for political favors, U.S. attorneys said.

"The evidence in this case shows the defendant had a problem. A big problem," said assistant U.S. attorney Rebecca Lutzko. In 2011, a group of district attorneys in California were threatening SCI with a lawsuit. Suarez "came up with a way to circumvent" campaign finance laws to give money to Renacci and Mandel so the two politicians would help.

Scott Guthrie, political consultant and the finance director for Mandel's Senate campaign, wrote a letter on behalf of SCI that Mandel's office put on the treasurer's letterhead and sent it to Renacci. Guthrie also said Mandel met with Suarez at the businessman's home on March 15, 2011.

"Candidates are more likely to pick up the phone. More likely to write a letter for their major campaign donors," Lutzko said. "Do you think the defendant didn't know that?"

Lutzko said they were not accusing Mandel and Renacci of quid pro quo. Defense attorneys tried to use that fact in their client's favor.

"You even heard evidence that this was public corruption," said defense attorney Mark Schamel. "If that were true, there would be two more tables: one for Mandel and one for Renacci."

Former SCI chief financial officer Michael Giorgio, 62, pleaded guilty in the case in May and was terminated from the company days later. Giorgio testified that he made a mistake by blindly following his boss' orders to ask employees to contribute.

"They got an innocent man to plead guilty," Schamel said after the trial.

SCI's in-house counsel, David Calevski, released the following statement after the verdict:

"Suarez Corporation Industries is thrilled with today's verdict and grateful to the jury for their decision. SCI is a pillar in the local community and employs hundreds of hard working people. We are glad to put this matter behind us and look forward to continuing to offer quality products and to support our community"