Ex-NRCC treasurer in court on misuse

[sabra]

Source: Politico

Christopher J. Ward, the former treasurer for the National Republican Congressional Committee, is expected to appear in federal court today on charges that he stole more than $844,000 from the NRCC and other committees he worked for, according to court documents.

Ward has been charged with interstate transportation of stolen money, the documents state.

An arraignment for Ward, and the submittal of a plea agreement between the former treasurer and the Justice Department, have been scheduled for Friday morning.

According to a filing by the Justice Department in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, between March 2001 and Dec. 2007, Ward “stole approximately $844,718 by issuing unauthorized checks and wire transfers from the NRCC and political committees that were clients of his business for the personal benefit of the defendant. …”

The Justice Department wants Ward to turn over any and all assets “obtained, directly or indirectly” from his illegal activities. DOJ, Ward, and his wife have worked out an agreement in a civil forfeiture action by federal prosecutors against his home in Bethesda, Md.


Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/41744.html