LOS ANGELES — A Filipino-American politician who once ran for New York City Public Advocate was arrested Thursday in a stunning $1 million wire fraud scheme, prosecutors say, after allegedly milking the city’s public matching funds program through a web of fake donations and clever money cycling.
Angela Aquino, 47, is accused of masterminding a brazen plot to defraud the New York City Campaign Finance Board. Authorities claim she knew her campaign failed to meet strict qualification rules yet allegedly funneled money — including transfers from the Philippines into her personal bank account — to create the false appearance of legitimate grassroots support.
Court documents reveal Aquino and her accomplices allegedly withdrew cash from her personal accounts, deposited it into the campaign committee, and submitted phony contribution cards claiming the funds came from New York City residents. Prosecutors say she repeatedly cycled money between accounts to inflate deposit numbers, making it look like she had raised the required $125,000 from at least 500 qualifying contributors.
Angela Aquino / Contributed
She is also accused of misusing campaign funds for personal expenses, including rent, while deceiving the Campaign Finance Board about their legitimacy.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. for the Eastern District of New York described the alleged scheme as “brazen,” saying Aquino tried to exploit a program designed to reduce corruption in city elections. “Our Office will aggressively hold accountable would-be public officials out to steal taxpayer dollars,” he warned.
FBI Assistant Director James C. Barnacle, Jr. vowed to continue pursuing corrupt political candidates who “try to buy the public’s support.”
If convicted, Aquino faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
The case sends a strong warning to public officials and candidates: attempts to game the system and siphon taxpayer money will not go unpunished.
