ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Katherine Margaret Buchanan, a 59-year-old Alexandria woman and seasoned campaign treasurer, has pleaded guilty to embezzling a staggering $840,006.98 from three federal candidates for political office.
According to court documents, Buchanan used her access as treasurer to embezzle contributed funds from her clients and convert the money to her own personal use. The embezzled funds were used for personal expenses such as dining, landscaping, aesthetic services, a Peloton exercise bike, clothing, airline tickets to Italy, concert tickets and suites, landscaping, chartered yacht tours, and legal fees.
Buchanan’s scheme began in 2020 and continued through 2024. She worked as a political campaign compliance consultant for more than 20 years for various political campaigns and political action committees (PACs). The defendant held the title of “Treasurer” of the campaign or PAC in each instance.
Buchanan also under-reported her income to the Internal Revenue Service from 2017 through 2022 to avoid paying taxes on it, resulting in a total loss of unpaid federal taxes of $671,200. The defendant’s actions have left a trail of financial destruction and deception in the world of politics.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Rumbaugh is prosecuting the case, which was announced by Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Emily Odom, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division; and Kareem A. Carter, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Washington D.C. Field Office. U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. accepted the plea.
Buchanan is scheduled to be sentenced on October 8 and faces up to five years in prison for each charge. The actual sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The brazen scheme has left many in the political world reeling. Buchanan’s actions have not only deprived her clients of their hard-earned money but have also undermined the trust and integrity of the campaign finance system.
A copy of the press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-150.
Related Federal Cases
- William Kyndall Francis Sentenced in $2.5M HOA Heist · Maryland
- Ashley Furst Gets 27 Months for $545K Non-Profit Heist · Colorado
- $245K Covid-19 Relief Heist: D.C. Woman Pleads Guilty to Tenancy Scam · Washington
- Chesapeake Duo Nabbed in Postal Heist & Fraud Scheme · North Carolina
- 23andMe Faces Legal Fire for Genetic Data Sale · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime|Public Corruption|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News