{"id":2451400,"date":"2025-06-24T15:22:02","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T19:22:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democratic-campaign-operative-pleads-guilty-to-embezzlement\/"},"modified":"2025-06-24T15:22:59","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T19:22:59","slug":"democratic-campaign-operative-pleads-guilty-to-embezzlement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democratic-campaign-operative-pleads-guilty-to-embezzlement\/","title":{"rendered":"Democratic campaign operative pleads guilty to embezzlement"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdemocratic-campaign-operative-pleads-guilty-to-embezzlement%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2451400&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Katherine Buchanan, a Democratic campaign operative based in Alexandria, Virginia, has pleaded guilty to embezzling over $840,000 in campaign funds from multiple federal candidates and evading approximately $671,200 in income taxes. With over two decades of experience in political committees, Buchanan exploited her role as a campaign treasurer to misappropriate funds for personal expenditures, including luxury items, travel, and credit card payments. While the specific candidates involved were not named,Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner have indicated that she worked on their campaigns. Buchanan has reportedly attempted to return some of the stolen funds. She <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/convicted-dem-megadonor-hustling-in-new-prison-currency-behind-bars\/\" title=\"Dem Megadonor Convicted, Hustling Prison &#039;Currency\">faces potential prison time<\/a> of up to five years for each charge. This instance follows a previous fine she received from the Federal Election Commission for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-president-trump-gives-pardons-to-73-individuals-and-commutes-another-70-sentences-steve-bannon-is-included\/\" title=\"BREAKING: President Trump Gives Pardons to 73 Individuals and Commutes Another 70 Sentences \u2013 Steve Bannon Is Included\">campaign finance violations<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Democratic campaign operative pleads guilty to embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2135459\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Katherine Buchanan, a resident of Alexandria, Virginia, and veteran of dozens of Democratic political committees, pleaded guilty to embezzling campaign contributions from three federal candidates and tax evasion, the Department of Justice <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/usao-edva\/pr\/campaign-treasurer-pleads-guilty-embezzling-over-840000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">announced <\/a>on Tuesday.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Buchanan worked in politics for over two decades, frequently serving as a campaign committee treasurer &mdash; the official responsible for stewardship of campaign funds and signing off on expenditures. Between 2020 and 2024, Buchanan abused her position to embezzle over $840,000 in campaign funds, according to the DOJ. Though the DOJ did not specify who Buchanan stole from, Democratic Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner <a href=\"https:\/\/wtop.com\/alexandria\/2025\/06\/va-campaign-finance-worker-admits-to-embezzling-840000-in-campaign-funds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">announced <\/a>that she had worked for them and they suspect she stole their funds.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3452503\/pritzker-to-announce-running-third-term-governor\/\">Pritzker to announce he is running for a third term: Report<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3452326\/arizona-budget-stalemate-government-shutdown\/\">Arizona facing government shutdown over budget stalemate<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3451372\/house-steering-committee-robert-garcia-top-democrat-house-oversight\/\">House Steering Committee recommends Robert Garcia for top Democrat on House Oversight Committee<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Campaign finance records <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/data\/committee\/C00640623\/?tab=summary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">show <\/a>that Buchanan also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/25485873-center\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">worked <\/a>for multiple Democratic-aligned super PACs, including Center Aisle PAC and Right Side of History PAC.<\/p>\n<p>Buchanan used the funds she embezzled for a number of personal expenses, according to the DOJ. With the misappropriated funds, she purchased a Peloton exercise bike, plane tickets to Italy, yacht tours, meals at restaurants, concert tickets, clothes, landscaping services, and luxury suites. Buchanan also used the funds to make payments on her personal credit card.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to stealing campaign funds, DOJ attorneys also accused Buchanan of evading $671,200 worth of income taxes.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA). (AP Photo\/J. Scott Applewhite)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Buchanan has reportedly attempted to return some of the funds she pleaded guilty to stealing from the campaign committees for which she previously worked.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Kaine&rsquo;s committee, for instance, has reported receiving over $150,000 from Buchanan. Center Aisle PAC also reported receiving funds from Buchanan after she allegedly stole from them.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3299959\/bernie-sanders-campaign-money-bankroll-family-charity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>BERNIE SANDERS USES CAMPAIGN DOLLARS TO BANKROLL FAMILY CHARITY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This isn&rsquo;t Buchanan&rsquo;s first brush with <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >campaign finance enforcement authorities<\/a>. In 2021, the Federal Election Commission <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/files\/legal\/admin_fines\/3926\/3926_02.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">fined <\/a>the campaign committee of Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), where Buchanan was serving as treasurer, for failing to properly disclose campaign contributions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Buchanan faces up to five years in jail for each of the charges she faces, though the DOJ press release notes that &ldquo;sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2135459\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2135459\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Democratic operative admits to embezzling campaign funds<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":894,"featured_media":2451401,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/question-5-mass.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4087,4009,16459,7361,41455],"class_list":["post-2451400","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-campaign","tag-democratic","tag-embezzlement","tag-operative","tag-pleads-guilty"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/question-5-mass.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2451400","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/894"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2451400"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2451400\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2451404,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2451400\/revisions\/2451404"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2451401"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2451400"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2451400"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2451400"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}