TALLAHASSEE — Attorneys for former Miami Republican lawmaker Frank Artiles on Wednesday argued an appeals court should toss out his criminal conviction in a case involving a “ghost” candidate who helped defeat a Democratic incumbent in a 2020 Florida Senate race.

In an 82-page brief filed shortly after midnight at the 3rd District Court of Appeal, Artiles’ attorneys argued, in part, that a state law about limits on campaign contributions was unconstitutionally vague as applied in the case. Artiles, a former member of the Florida House and Senate, was convicted last year of making excessive contributions, conspiracy to make excessive contributions and false swearing to an oath.

Artiles, a former member of the House and Senate, was prosecuted because of his relationship with Alex Rodriguez

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