Former Ohio campaign treasurer pleads guilty to stealing nearly $1M in funds

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Columbus man who served as a campaign treasurer for more than 100 political candidates in the 1980s pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud related to stealing nearly $1 million in campaign funds.

According to the office of the U.S. Attorney Southern District of Ohio, Willis Curlis, 76, was charged by a bill of information in April. Curlis pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of wire fraud for stealing $995,231 in campaign funds.

According to court documents, Curlis defrauded candidates of the money between 2008 and June 2023. Curlis admitted that he wrote checks from bank accounts of certain candidates and one PAC to himself for personal use.

Curlis would then transfer funds between campaign accounts without the candidates’ knowledge to conceal the deficit he created.

At least 179 checks were written from 18 different candidates and one PAC. In 2016 Curlis sold him home to cover the cost of campaign expenses, including campaign media costs and account balances, to prevent getting caught.

While Curlis has yet to be sentenced, part of his plea agreement is to make full restitution of the funds stolen.  Wire fraud is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.