Republican Guilty Of Embezzling $844,718 From Political Committees

Christopher J. Ward has pleaded guilty to interstate transportation of stolen property in connection with a scheme to defraud the National Republican Congressional Committee (“NRCC”) and other political committees that were clients of his accounting and consulting business. 

According to the plea agreement, Ward worked in the NRCC’s accounting department and in 2003 became the NRCC’s Treasurer. In addition, Ward operated a business specializing in accounting services and compliance with Federal Election Commission regulations for political committees and candidates. From 2001 through 2006, Ward also served as Treasurer for the President’s Dinner Committees, which ran the annual joint fund-raising dinners sponsored by the NRCC and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), featuring a keynote address by the President of the United States.
 
Ward admitted that from March 5, 2001 through December 2007, he stole approximately $844,718 by issuing unauthorized checks and wire transfers from the NRCC and political committees who were clients of his business, using the funds for his personal benefit. In some instances, Ward issued unauthorized checks and wire transfers from the NRCC to bank accounts for the President’s Dinner Committees, that Ward controlled, and he then transferred the funds to his personal bank accounts. In order to conceal the theft, at or near the times of the unauthorized payments, Ward filed with the Federal Election Commission, and caused others to file, reports that contained false information.
 
Ward faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The defendant has agreed with the government that a sentence of 37 months in prison would be an appropriate disposition of the case. As part of the plea agreement, Ward is also required to make restitution of $812,825 to his victims. Ward already had replaced $31,893 of the money he had stolen prior to being charged.