COLUMBUS, Ohio — A central Ohio political insider, who has served as a campaign treasurer for more than 100 candidates since the 1980s, pleaded guilty in federal court today to one count of wire fraud related to stealing nearly $1 million in campaign funds.
William Curlis, 76, who serves as treasurer for the Franklin County Republican Party according to Federal Election Commission filings, was charged by a bill of information in April 2024.
Court documents reveal that from 2008 until June 2023, Curlis defrauded candidates of approximately $995,231 of campaign funds. As part of his plea, Curlis admitted to writing checks from the bank accounts of certain candidates and one Political Action Committee (PAC) to himself for personal use. He transferred funds between campaign accounts without the candidates’ knowledge to conceal the deficit he created.
From 2000 to 2023, Curlis was the primary signatory on at least 111 bank accounts, and of those, he was the only signatory on 108 accounts. Curlis wrote at least 179 checks to himself from campaign accounts belonging to 18 different candidates and one PAC.
In 2016, Curlis sold his home to cover the cost of campaign expenses, including campaign media costs and account balances, to prevent the discovery of his theft. On April 30, 2024, Curlis received an official letter from the Federal Election Commission for failing to file the April Quarterly Report for the Franklin County Republican Party.
Wire fraud is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. As part of his plea, Curlis will pay $995,231 in restitution.