CA Democratic operative used campaign funds like personal piggy bank.

[RandySF]

We just got a hold of the FBI complaint against Kinde Durkee, the California accountant who has been a campaign treasurer for hundreds of Democratic campaigns. The feds charged her late last week with mail fraud for allegedly taking campaign funds from accounts she controlled and using them to pay personal and business expenses as well as cover for shortfalls in the accounts of other campaigns.

The victim in this case is alleged to be the campaign of state Assemblyman Joe Solorio, from whose accounts Durkee allegedly misappropriated more than $600,000, some of which ended up in the campaign accounts of Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA). (There is no suggestion in the complaint that the the Sanchez campaign knew of these deposits.)

But the key takeaway from the FBI complaint may be that Durkee admitted, according to the feds, that she has been "misappropriating her clients' money for years." So who knows how many other victims there and the amounts of money involved.


http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/09/feds_campaign_treasurer_using_campaign_funds_like.php?ref=fpblg

[Exultant Democracy]

1. It seems common for a bunch of the 501(c)(3)'s of the same affliation to use the same CPA

as their treasurers and finance people, at least in my experience. This article point out one of the biggest downsides to this practice. Some states have laws on the book to prevent one person from acting as a treasure for more than one political committee.

[chill_wind]

2. “I drink your milkshake, Democrats. SLLLLLLURRRRRRRRP … I drink it up!”

That's the caption for the picture and story about her here:

http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2011/09/what-does-the-kinde-durkee-bust-mean-for-the-democratic-party-of-orange-county/

More:

Feds: Treasurer Used Campaign Funds For Cosmetics, Ice Cream, Mother's Nursing Home Bill
Ryan J. Reilly | September 6, 2011, 4:00PM


Prominent Democratic campaign treasurer Kinde Durkee, arrested in California on mail fraud charges over the weekend, routinely moved substantial sums of money out of the accounts of her clients and into the coffers of her firm, federal authorities alleged in a newly released criminal complaint on Tuesday.An affidavit from an FBI agent alleges that Durkee, who has served as treasurer on hundreds of political campaigns, took money from campaign funds that she controlled and used the money to pay her own personal and business expenses. She also allegedly used cash from some campaigns to cover shortfalls in the accounts of other campaigns.

Specifically, Durkee allegedly took nearly $700,000 out of the account of California Assemblyman Joe Solorio. Some of that cash ended up in the campaign account for Rep. Loretta Sanchez, but there isn't any suggestion that the California Democrat knew what was taking place.

Durkee, head of the California firm Durkee & Associates, had signature authority for more than 400 bank accounts. She allegedly used money from various political campaigns to pay her mortgage, American Express bills for everything from Ulta cosmetics to Baskin Robbins purchases, and even the bill for her mother's care at an assisted living facility.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/major_democratic_treasurer_arrested_on_mail_fraud_charges_in_california.php


According to stories, she admitted she's been doing this to campaigns for years.
And that's on top of the bogus "California for Obama" she had going back in 2007.
(more at the first link).