Retired Congressman Leaves Campaign Account Open So His Former Aide Can Keep Paying Back…


The campaign for a retired congressman told the Federal Election Commission last month that it needed to stay active to receive restitution from its former treasurer, who pleaded guilty to embezzlement 10 years ago.

In mid-October, the Federal Election Commission asked the campaign for former Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.) for an update on its status, given that the candidate has been out of office for two years. 

LoBiondo’s campaign informed the commission that it “must remain open as it continues to receive court-ordered payments resulting from a prior embezzlement.”


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In 2011, the campaign’s one-time treasurer, Andrew McCrosson, pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $450,000 from LoBiondo’s campaign accounts. McCrosson was sentenced to 30 months in jail and ordered to pay $458,000 in restitution. 

Ten years later, FEC records show that the 70-year-old McCrosson has repaid at least $193,000. Last quarter he made monthly payments of $800. McCrosson and his attorney did not respond to requests for comment.

After 24 years in Congress, LoBiondo left office in 2019. He is now a lobbyist. His congressional campaign still has $152,000 of cash on hand.

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