The longtime Chairman of the Livingston County Conservative Party (LCCP) and Vice Chairman of the New York State Conservative Party’s (NYSCP) Executive Committee pleaded guilty Thursday for illegally using funds from the party’s political committee for personal expenses.
Jason McGuire was charged after an investigation revealed he filed false campaign finance disclosure reports with the New York State Board of Elections to avoid disclosing over $16,000 in party funds that he transferred to himself. McGuire spent these funds on a variety of personal expenses for himself and his wife, including clothes, restaurants, and beauty treatments. McGuire pleaded guilty to two counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in Livingston County Supreme Court.
“New Yorkers who donate their hard-earned money to political causes they support must be able to trust that their funds will be used as intended,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “Our investigation revealed that Jason McGuire abused his position in the New York Conservative Party to line his own pockets with party funds and cover up his theft. I thank the Board of Elections for their support in this investigation as we protect the integrity of our elections.”
Under New York election law, political committees and candidates are required to file periodic financial disclosure reports to maintain transparency in the election process by accurately disclosing their expenditures and contributions. As a leader of both the LCCP and NYSCP, McGuire had check-writing authority and signed documents linking the committee accounts with a personal bank account he owned with his wife. In total, McGuire transferred $16,706.26 from the LCCP account to his personal account throughout 2020 and 2021, which he used to pay for clothes, restaurants, entertainment, fitness centers, beauty treatments, and household expenses. McGuire covered up these transfers by not reporting them on campaign finance reports as required by New York election law.
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