Read this before you donate a penny to a political committee

Political treasurers are, as you might surmise, responsible for keeping clean books for congressional candidate, national parties, political action committees and the like.

Generally, it’s low-profile and relatively thankless work.

But as Taylor Giorno and I recently reported, we’ve identified a disturbing trend.

Our investigation in NOTUS details:

… a yearslong string of cases in which trusted political treasurers, consultants and advisers embezzled millions from campaigns and committees often plagued by shoddy financial protections and controls.

During the past year alone, several other individuals have faced federal charges related to alleged embezzlement or related financial crimes involving the political campaigns and committees they serve.

Who are these alleged cheats and swindlers?

More from our story:

In Montana, Abbey Lee Cook pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud after misappropriating more than $250,000 in campaign funds, which she used for payments on her personal credit card, car loan and commercial property.

In Virginia, Katherine Buchanan admitted to embezzling more than $840,000 from Democratic political committees, including the campaigns of Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. Buchanan, who pleaded guilty in June 2025, spent the money on personal expenses, including landscaping, chartered yacht tours, a Peloton bike, concert tickets and trips to Italy.

In Pennsylvania and Florida, Yolanda Brown is accused of fleecing two Democratic campaigns — allegations her lawyer, Khambrel Davis, denied when contacted by the Philadelphia Inquirer in March. In 2024, Brown, then Yolanda Cheers, paid $330,000 after pleading guilty in a separate case to felony grand theft for stealing money from two organizations that she used to pay herself bonuses and make unauthorized credit card payments, including a $10,000 vineyard trip.

And in Maryland, James Appel is facing money laundering and wire fraud charges after federal prosecutors said he took a combined $200,000 from two clients to refinance a loan on his yacht. Appel pleaded not guilty in March and continues to serve as the trustee on Rep. Andy Ogles’ (R-Tennessee) legal defense fund.

Perhaps the most infamous modern-day political thief is Kinde Durkee, who pleaded guilty in 2012 to embezzling millions from more than 50 Democratic political committees, including about $4.5 million from the campaign of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California).

Beyond chronicling wrongdoers, we also sought to delve into the psychology of political theft.

Of course, it’s about the money.

But in interviews with experts on fraud, there’s often a lot more going on, too.

And sometimes, it’s even about love.

Please read our full report here.