COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a shocking turn of events, a longtime campaign treasurer has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $1 million in campaign funds from over 100 candidates since the 1980s.
William Curlis, 76, a Columbus man with a decades-long history of serving as a campaign treasurer, was charged by a bill of information in April 2024. Today, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in federal court.
According to court documents, from 2008 until June 2023, Curlis defrauded candidates of approximately $995,231 of campaign funds. The defendant admitted to writing checks from the bank accounts of certain candidates and one PAC to himself for personal use, and transferring funds between campaign accounts without candidates’ knowledge to conceal the deficit he created.
In a staggering display of deception, Curlis wrote at least 179 checks to himself from campaign accounts belonging to 18 different candidates and one PAC. He was the primary signatory on at least 111 bank accounts, and in 108 of those, he was the only signatory.
Curlis’s scheme was so extensive that he even sold his home in 2016 to cover the cost of campaign expenses, including campaign media costs and account balances, in an attempt to prevent the discovery of his theft. But his actions ultimately led to his downfall, and he now faces the consequences of his crimes.
Wire fraud is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. As part of his plea, Curlis will pay $995,231 in restitution. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Southern Ohio Public Corruption Task Force, which includes agents and officers from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI), Columbus Division of Police and Ohio Auditor’s Office. The Ohio Secretary of State’s office was also an integral part of the investigation.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker, FBI Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King. Deputy Criminal Chief Jessica W. Knight is representing the United States in this case.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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