Feinstein, Calif. Democrats sort out campaign fraud mess

Several California Democrats in Congress are trying to sort out a mess created by a campaign treasurer who was arrested on federal fraud charges this month.

 

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who is up for re-election next year, said she is among those who may have been "wiped out" by Kinde Durkee, who is accused of taking several thousands of dollars from Democratic campaigns.

 

Also affected: Democratic congresswomen Loretta Sanchez and Susan Davis, who called Durkee the "Bernie Madoff of campaign treasurers" in an e-mail to her supporters.

 

Roll Call reports today that dozens of campaigns may face increased legal fees, fines and other costs as they unravel the alleged embezzlement by Durkee, who handled 400 client accounts.

Lawyer Joseph Birkenstock told Roll Call that he believes "it's going to get really ugly; the legal morass has multiple layers of complexity."