Calif congresswoman: Campaign robbed of $250,000
SAN DIEGO - September 12, 2011
U.S. Rep. Susan Davis was not mentioned as a victim in the
federal complaint against Kinde Durkee, but the San Diego Democrat
told supporters her campaign was one of many that were victimized.
"As this scandal emerges, she may well become known as the
Bernie Madoff of campaign finance treasurers," Davis wrote,
referring to the Wall Street swindler in an email with the heading,
"We've Been Robbed!"
Durkee's attorney, Daniel Nixon, didn't immediately respond to a
phone message seeking comment.
Durkee, whose clients included U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and
dozens of other California politicians, had authority over more
than 400 bank accounts, including political campaigns, according to
the federal complaint filed earlier this month.
The complaint said investigators found substantial sums were
routinely placed into her company accounts or channeled to other
campaigns, apparently when suspicions were raised about missing
money.
Davis told supporters that reports to the Federal Election
Commission accurately reflected her contributions and spending, but
Durkee falsely reported account balances to the campaign. Davis
tallied her losses at more than $250,000.
Davis, a six-term congresswoman in a heavily Democratic
district, sought to reassure supporters in her email dated Saturday
and released Monday.
"If there is any positive news in all of this, it is that
although many of her clients lost virtually everything, we had an
account in reserve for our operational expenses that she did not
have access to (for our ease, not because we suspected anything),"
the congresswoman wrote.
The only elected official named as a victim in the federal
complaint was state Assemblyman Jose Solorio. Prosecutors allege
that Durkee siphoned off nearly $700,000 from Solorio's campaign to
pay for an array of debts, from a Disneyland restaurant tab to
shopping at Costco.
Lauren Horwood, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office in
Sacramento, said more charges are likely.
