Ex-Congressional Candidate Indicted for Campaign Finance Crimes

A failed congressional candidate from Los Angeles County is facing criminal charges for misusing campaign funds, according to a 43-count indictment unsealed in federal district court Wednesday.

The indictment, filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California, alleges that Omar Navarro—with the help of his co-conspirators, sham consulting companies, and a phony charitable foundation—funneled campaign cash to himself.

Although he reported using the funds for legitimate campaign expenditures, prosecutors say Navarro used the money to pay personal expenses, including trips to Las Vegas and California wine country.

From 2018 through July 2020, he allegedly deposited more ...