Texas Man Sentenced for Filing False FEC Report and Credit Card Fraud

Texas Man Sentenced for Filing False FEC Report and Credit Card Fraud

WASHINGTON – A Texas man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for filing a false report with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and for credit card fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Scott Moffit of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s (TIGTA) Cybercrime Investigations Division.

Christopher Richardson, 37, of San Antonio, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false entry in a record and one count of access device fraud on February 29, 2024. In addition to the 18-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Trevor N. McFadden ordered Richardson to serve three years of supervised release.

The scheme began in March 2020 when Richardson created an independent, expenditure-only Super PAC named Americans for Progressive Action USA (AFPA). He used fictitious names for AFPA’s treasurer and designated agent and filed a falsified quarterly report with the FEC claiming that AFPA had raised $4.8 million from several fictitious individuals.

Richardson then filed another report of expenditures that falsely claimed that the Super PAC spent over $1.5 million to purchase advertisements and media production opposing certain candidates for the U.S. Senate. He filed another FEC report that falsely stated that AFPA refunded the non-existent $4.8 million in donations.

But that wasn’t all – Richardson also used the alias of one of the fictitious donors to AFPA to obtain a credit card, and then used that card to conduct approximately 200 transactions. This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and TIGTA Cybercrime Investigations Division, and prosecuted by Trial Attorney Ryan R. Crosswell of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Gold for the District of Columbia.

This sentence sends a clear message that election fraud and credit card scams will not be tolerated. Richardson’s actions were a brazen attempt to deceive the public and manipulate the electoral process. He will now face the consequences for his crimes.

A previous federal conviction for bank fraud should have made Richardson wary of the consequences of his actions. Instead, he chose to continue down a path of deceit and corruption. His sentence serves as a reminder that those who engage in such activities will be held accountable.

The FEC plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. Richardson’s actions undermined that integrity and damaged the public’s trust in our democratic institutions.