Ex-NRCC Treasurer Admits to Stealing
Christopher J. Ward was the treasurer of the National Republican Congressional Committee from 2003 to 2007. The Bethesda, Md., resident has been under investigation for embezzlement for some time.
On Friday, Ward pleaded guilty to embezzlement in federal court in Washington. Ward admitted to taking more than $840,000 from various political committees. Of that money, $670,000 came from the NRCC itself.
In court papers, Ward admitted that he took money from an account used to operate an annual fund-raising dinner with then-President George W. Bush. Ward said he transferred money from that account into his personal account.
His lawyer and prosecutors have agreed to recommend a three-year prison sentence. The judge can impose a term of up to 10 years.
