Kinde Durkee, the California campaign treasurer accused of stealing millions of dollars from her clients, pleaded guilty on Friday to five counts of mail fraud in what is “believed to be the largest embezzlement by a campaign committee treasurer ever prosecuted,” according to a Justice Department press release:
“Greed is the root of all white-collar crime,” said Herbert M. Brown, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Sacramento Field Office. “Our agents tirelessly investigate these crimes that silently erode our communities, exposing those who purposely defraud, steal and embezzle from those they are entrusted to serve.”
As part of the sentence ultimately imposed in this case, Durkee will be ordered to pay restitution to the victims. As part of the plea agreement, she agreed to turn over any equity in a property in Burbank, Calif., where her firm was located. The firm is no longer operating. She also agreed to liquidate funds in a 401(k) account for use in restitution.
