Rep. Cole cites theft at Republican organization

Friday, March 14, 2008  

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), a member of the Chickasaw Nation, says the National Republican Congressional Committee has been bilked out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Cole is chairman of the committee, whose goal is to elect Republicans in Congress. He says the group's former treasurer, Christopher J. Ward, stole as much as $1 million over the past few years.

"The evidence we have today indicated we have been deceived and betrayed for a number of years by a highly respected and trusted individual," Cole said in a statement.

Cole is the only Native American in Congress.

Get the Story:
NRCC Says Ex-Treasurer Diverted Up to $1 Million (The Washington Post 3/14)
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Sham Audits May Have Hid Theft by G.O.P. Committee Treasurer, Lawyer Says (The New York Times 3/14)
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