Aide for N.J. Congressman Admits Stealing $458K

(CN) - The former campaign treasurer for New Jersey congressman Frank Lobiando pleaded guilty to embezzling about $458,000 from the congressman's election and re-election campaign accounts, the Justice Department said.

Andrew McCrosson was responsible for reporting all campaign contributions to Rep. Lobiano's Congress runs in New Jersey's second congressional district. He admitted that he wrote himself checks for about $458,000 from the Republican candidate's campaign accounts between 1995 and August of 2010.

McCrosson was required, but failed, to report expenditures to the Federal Elections Commission as part of his duties. Prosecutors said McCrosson also concealed the amount of cash the campaign held on hand to continue to hide his embezzlement.

McCrosson pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge Joseph Irenas to one cound of wire fraud and one count of embezzling and converting funds contributed to a federal candidate.

He faces a maximum 25 years in prison when he is scheduled for sentencing on June 16.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Smith led the prosecution with assistance from trial attorneys Tracee Plowell and Nancy Simmons.

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