The former treasurer of the National Republican Congressional Committee, Christopher J. Ward, is alleged to have funneled as much as $1 million from committee funds into his private bank accounts. Ward, who has also been treasurer of 82 other GOP committees this decade, could face $1 million in fines and up to 30 years in prison if found guilty.

The Washington Post:

The former treasurer for the National Republican Congressional Committee diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars — and possibly as much as $1 million — of the organization’s funds into his personal accounts, GOP officials said yesterday [Thursday], describing an alleged scheme that could become one of the largest political frauds in recent history.

For at least four years, Christopher J. Ward, who is under investigation by the FBI, allegedly used wire transfers to funnel money out of NRCC coffers and into other political committee accounts he controlled as treasurer, NRCC leaders and lawyers said in their first public statement since they turned the matter over to the FBI six weeks ago.

“The evidence we have today indicated we have been deceived and betrayed for a number of years by a highly respected and trusted individual,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), the NRCC chairman.

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