COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus man who served as treasurer for dozens of political campaigns in Ohio over four decades has pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud related to stealing nearly $1 million in campaign funds.
William Curlis, 76, was charged in April. He was accused of writing checks from campaign accounts to himself for personal use and taking steps to hide the thefts. He reportedly stole $995,231 between 2008 and June 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio.
As part of his plea, Curlis admitted to writing checks from the bank accounts of certain candidates and one PAC to himself for personal use. He then transferred funds between campaign accounts without candidates’ knowledge to conceal the deficit he created.
Curlis served as treasurer for more than 100 local, state and federal Republican campaigns, often as the only signatory on accounts, prosecutors said.
Curlis was the primary signatory on at least 111 bank accounts, and of those, he was the only signatory on 108 accounts, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The longtime treasurer wrote at least 179 checks to himself from campaign accounts belonging to 18 different candidates and one PAC.
Curlis sold his home in 2016 to cover the cost of campaign expenses, including campaign media costs and account balances, to prevent the discovery of his theft, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Curlis’ guilty plea was part of an agreement that was filed in the case last month. At the time, his attorney Mark Collins said the plea agreement showed that the longtime treasurer accepted responsibility for his actions.
Wire fraud is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years, The U.S. Attorney’s office said as part of his plea, Curlis will pay $995,23` in restitution.