ST. LOUIS, MO – Larry Arnowitz, 66, of St. Louis, Missouri, is headed to federal prison after admitting to pilfering funds donated to his political campaign. U.S. District Court Judge Steven R. Clark sentenced the former Alderman to eighteen months imprisonment – twelve months behind bars, followed by six months of home confinement – for one count of mail fraud. Arnowitz was also ordered to repay $21,197.85 to the victims of his scheme.
The case, detailed in both the Indictment and Plea Agreement, revealed a pattern of brazen self-dealing. Arnowitz, who first took office in 2011 representing the 12th Ward, operated a campaign account titled “Friends of Larry Arnowitz.” Donors contributed with the understanding their money would fuel his reelection efforts. Instead, between June 2015 and February 2019, Arnowitz treated the account like a personal piggy bank.
Court documents show Arnowitz diverted campaign cash to cover his residential mortgage and other personal expenses. He also made significant cash withdrawals, effectively pocketing donor money for his own use. The scheme extended to fundraising events held at Sugar Creek Golf Course in 2018 and 2019. Players donated funds – by check or cash – believing they were supporting Arnowitz’s campaign, but he allegedly pocketed the proceeds instead of depositing them.
To cover his tracks, Arnowitz filed deliberately false reports with the Missouri Ethics Commission. These reports conveniently omitted the cash withdrawals and personal payments made directly from the “Friends of Larry Arnowitz” account. One particularly damning example: on February 13, 2019, Arnowitz withdrew $5,000 via cashier’s check and mailed it to Ocwen Financial Services as a partial payment on his mortgage – all with campaign funds.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation, exposing the depth of Arnowitz’s deception. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and subsequent sentencing. The case serves as a stark reminder that even elected officials are not above the law and will be held accountable for abusing the public trust.
Arnowitz’s fall from grace marks another instance of public corruption eroding faith in government. While the restitution order offers some redress to those defrauded, the eighteen-month sentence sends a clear message: misusing campaign funds for personal gain carries serious consequences. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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