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MD GOP Treasurer Accused Of Embezzling $200K For Yacht Loan
Prosecutors say he moved $200,000 through campaign and nonprofit accounts to support yacht refinancing, and he faces six federal fraud and laundering counts.
- On Monday, federal prosecutors indicted former Maryland Republican campaign treasurer James Appel on charges of wire fraud and money laundering, alleging he embezzled $200,000 from a state delegate and an Anne Arundel County community organization.
- Investigators claim the scheme began in May 2023 when Appel allegedly transferred funds into his business account, "GOP Compliance," to secure a loan for a Pacific Mariner 65 Motoryacht listed for as much as $800,000.
- Maryland Delegate Kathy Szeliga, vice-chair for the Maryland Freedom Caucus, identified herself as the victim, stating, "It's a betrayal beyond words," and calling for swift consequences after Appel exploited her trust.
- Magistrate Judge Erin Aslan released Appel from custody following his not-guilty plea on Monday while prohibiting him from opening new bank accounts pending trial.
- If convicted, Appel faces up to 20 years for each wire fraud count and up to 10 for each money laundering count; Maryland House Minority Leader Jason Buckel confirmed the House Republican Caucus is removing him as treasurer.
11 Articles
11 Articles
A political consultant based in Annapolis and ties to Republicans, including former Governor Larry Hogan, is being charged at the federal level with allegedly embezzling funds from at least one of his clients as part of a yacht financing plan. James Appel faces three charges of electronic fraud and three money laundering charges in the formal indictment that was made public on Monday at the U.S. District Court in Baltimore. In the 10-page formal…
Republican consultant faces federal embezzlement charges
The U.S. District Court in Baltimore. (Photo by Danielle E. Gaines/Maryland Matters)An Annapolis-based political consultant with ties to Republicans including former Gov. Larry Hogan is under federal indictment for allegedly embezzling from at least one of his clients as part of a scheme to finance a yacht. James Appel faces three counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering in the indictment that was unsealed Monday in U.S. Distric…
GOP Operative Accused of Stealing Funds to Buy Yacht
“A Republican campaign treasurer long active in Maryland politics has been indicted on charges that he embezzled $200,000 from a politician and a community organization and funneled the money toward a luxury yacht,” the Washington Post reports.
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