House Republican Campaign Treasurer Embezzles Money For Home Repairs

The Washington Post reports more than $800,000 was embezzled by House republicans’ former campaign treasurer in order to cover his own home repairs and renovations.

According to the Post, “A four-month forensic audit of the National Republican Congressional Committee's books asserted that Christopher J. Ward, who worked in the NRCC's accounting office for more than 12 years, also took $28,000 that should have gone to the National Republican Senatorial Committee.” This is not the first time Ward has been fingered by Republican lawmakers for allegedly misappropriating $64,000 “from six political action committees and reelection committees, bringing his total alleged embezzlement to more than $810,000.” While the Republican audits continue, FBI investigations are probing Ward’s history and the Justice Department has filed papers, “seeking the forfeiture of his Bethesda home.” Some are calling this inexplicable mishandling of funds the greatest case of political fraud in the past few generations. The debacle could not come at a worst time for Republicans as the general election looms heavy on the horizon.