Accusations that a campaign treasurer, Kinde Durkee, stole more than $1 million from Democratic candidates across California have jolted the party on the eve of the 2012 campaign season.
Ms. Durkee was a trusted political operative within the Democratic Party in California, with roots in campaigns stretching back decades. She got her start in campaign finance in the 1970s on the George McGovern campaign, as a protégé of veteran campaign treasurer Jules Glazer. Ms. Durkee built up her client base through word of mouth.
Her offices in Burbank, Calif., were nondescript. During campaigns, visitors saw staffers processing donation checks on tables. Several of Ms. Durkee's family members worked at her firm, according to firm records and court testimony.
Wylie Aitken, a prominent trial lawyer and major Democratic donor in Orange County, said Ms. Durkee had been recommended to him as "probably the premier person to look after you so you didn't break campaign rules." |