Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Christie M. Curtis, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment today charging MICHELLE BOND with conspiring to cause and causing unlawful campaign contributions in connection with her unsuccessful run for Congress in 2022. BOND will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Michelle Bond and her co-conspirator romantic partner attempted to fund her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives by illegally using hundreds of thousands of dollars from corporate coffers, among other sources, and then lying to Congress and others to cover it all up. Misconduct by those campaigning for public office undermines public trust in American elections and in representative government more broadly. This Office is committed to holding elected officials and candidates accountable if they break the law.”
FBI Acting Assistant Director Christie M. Curtis said: “Michelle Bond, a former congressional candidate, allegedly financed her campaign with illicitly obtained funds then made calculated efforts to conceal her misconduct, including lying to Congress about the deposits’ origin. Attempting to start a hopeful career in our government using unlawful transactions and lies erodes the integrity and credibility of our legislative system. Investigating all forms of corruption remains a top priority of the FBI, as those seeking to hold governing positions are expected to comport themselves honestly and transparently to preserve public confidence.”
As alleged in the Indictment:[1]
In 2022, BOND—then a high-level executive at a digital assets trade group (the “Trade Group”)—ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. BOND sought to represent New York’s first congressional district, which comprises the eastern portion of Long Island.
Shortly after launching her congressional campaign in May 2022, BOND’s romantic partner (“CC-1”)—then a high-level executive at a Bahamas-based subsidiary of a now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange (the “Exchange”)—orchestrated a sham consulting agreement between BOND and the Exchange, pursuant to which BOND was paid $400,000. BOND then used that money to illegally finance her campaign. Further, between June and August 2022, CC-1 wired hundreds of thousands of dollars to BOND’s personal bank account, which BOND then used to illegally fund her campaign. CC-1 and BOND discussed how CC-1 would pay the expenses for BOND’s campaign, and CC-1 was aware that BOND was using CC-1’s money to make large loans and contributions to her campaign.
BOND and CC-1’s conduct violated federal campaign finance laws prohibiting corporate contributions, excessive contributions by an individual, and conduit (or straw) contributions. BOND attempted to conceal her and CC-1’s conduct by, among other things, making false statements to a congressional committee and the Federal Election Commission, and lying to her employer at that time. For example, in a financial disclosure form filed with the House Ethics Committee, BOND described the $400,000 Exchange Payment as consulting income. However, in talking points BOND prepared for a meeting with the board of her Trade Group, BOND acknowledged that she did not work for the Exchange and that the Exchange gave the money for her campaign.
BOND, 45, of Potomac, Maryland, is charged with one count of conspiracy to cause unlawful campaign contributions; one count of causing and accepting excessive campaign contributions; one count of causing and receiving an unlawful corporate contribution; and one count of causing and receiving a conduit contribution. Each of the crimes charged carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The statutory maximum sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Simon and Sheb Swett are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.
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