The former campaign treasurer to California Democrats such as Sen. Dianne Feinstein pleaded guilty today to defrauding her clients out of at least $ 7 million.
Kinde Durkee entered the guilty plea to five counts of mail fraud. She faces a maximum sentence of 14 years in federal prison under the plea deal.
The Associated Press described the Durkee case as "one of the nation's most egregious political embezzlement cases."
Feins tein, who is up for re-election this year, filed suit to recoup funds allegedly looted by Durkee. The senator says she may have lost more than $ 5 million in the scheme.
Court documents say Durkee used the funds from Feinstein's campaign account to pay credit card bills that showed charges from Costco, Disneyland and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The filings say Durkee also used money from her political clients to pay for her mother's care at a senior citizen's home and business expenses such as health care and 401(k) benefits for her employees.
Federal prosecutors say Durkee controlled 700 bank accounts and looted money from 50 victims, including U.S. Reps. Linda Sanchez and Susan Davis. Davis said Durkee may be the "Bernie Madoff of campaign treasurers."
(Contributing: Associated Press)
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