The FBI Investigated Missing Money from Chabot's Campaign After His Campaign Could Not Account for More Than $120,000. On
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The FBI investigated missing money from Chabot’s campaign after his campaign could not account for more than $120,000. On top of that, Chabot has used his political organization to enrich his family. But when it comes to helping your family pay the bills, Chabot has voted 15 times to increase health care costs and take away protections for people with pre-existing conditions in Ohio, like asthma, cancer and diabetes. The Chabot Campaign Released A Justice Department Letter Stating That An FBI Fraud Investigation Into Former Chabot Campaign Manager Jamie Schwartz After $123,000 Went Missing From Chabot’s Campaign. “The campaign of U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Westwood, released correspondence from the Justice Department that confirmed for the first time that Chabot’s former chief political aide, Jamie Schwartz, is under investigation for fraud. […] The July 21 Justice Department letter to the Chabot campaign’s attorneys in Washington, D.C., Jones Day, discusses a 2011 Jeep Wrangler seized by the FBI in its investigation of Schwartz. ‘An investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation has determined that Steve Chabot for Congress is a victim of the violation of law which resulted in the seizure and forfeiture of the above-referenced property,’ the letter, signed by Stephen Jobe, chief of the department’s legal forfeiture unit, states. […] About $123,000 went missing from the campaign. About a year ago, Schwartz closed his consulting business and vanished from the local political world. He could not be reached for comment. Schwartz has not been charged with wrongdoing. The Justice Department letter said the amount of forfeited funds “available for remission” is $13,255.20. ‘Because your client’s losses exceed the amount available for remission, the entire amount is granted,’ the Justice Department letter said.” [Cincinnati Business Courier, 8/21/20] A Federal Bureau Of Investigation Letter Confirmed That The FBI Investigated Potential Violations Of The Law Involving Campaign Aide Jamie Schwartz And Chabot’s Campaign. “An investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation has determined that Steve Chabot for Congress is a victim of the violation of law which resulted in the seizure and forfeiture of the above-referenced property. Specifically, there is cause to believe that the referenced vehicle is traceable to proceeds of fraud committed by James Schwartz, Jr., which resulted in a financial loss to your client.” [Federal Bureau of Investigation, Letter, 7/21/20] HEADLINE: “Letter Confirms FBI Probe Of Ex-Chabot Aide Jamie Schwartz As Congressman Tries To Squelch Opponent’s Ad” [Cincinnati Business Courier, 8/21/20] A Federal Grand Jury Was Convened In The Federal Investigation Into Money Missing From Chabot’s Campaign Account. “Congressman Steve Chabot has filed for re-election, and it comes as FOX19 NOW has learned there is a federal investigation going into money missing from his campaign with a grand jury convened in Cincinnati. […] Chabot’s longtime campaign manager, Jamie Schwartz, who also served as a former aide for the congressman, has been gone now for months. […] We are told by a person with knowledge of the situation there has been a federal investigation for a while now, since Jamie Schwartz turned himself into the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio in September. The campaign is cooperating with federal law enforcement in their investigation.” [Fox19.com, 12/11/19] HEADLINE: “Grand Jury Convened Amid Federal Investigation Into Money Missing From Chabot Campaign” [Fox19.com, 12/11/19] Federal Investigators Were Probing More Than $123,000 Missing From Chabot’s Campaign Account. “Ohio GOP Rep. Steve Chabot’s campaign has hired a new treasurer after revealing earlier this month that federal investigators launched a probe into missing campaign funds totaling more than $123,000.” [Roll Call, 9/17/19] August 27, 2019: The Federal Election Commission Wrote Chabot’s Campaign, Noting That Its Amended First Quarter 2019 Report Showed A $123,625.72 Increase In Receipts And Asking The Campaign To Explain The Discrepancy. “This letter is prompted by the Commission's preliminary review of the report referenced above [Amended April Quarterly Report (01/01/2019 – 03/31/2019). This notice requests information essential to full public disclosure of your federal election campaign finances. Failure to adequately respond by the response date noted above could result in an audit or enforcement action. Additional information is needed for the following 2 item(s): 1. Your amended report discloses an increase in receipts totaling $123,625.72 on Line(s) 11(a)(iii) of the Detailed Summary from those disclosed on your original report. Please provide clarifying information as to why this activity was not disclosed on your original report. (11 CFR § 104.3)” [Federal Election Commission Request for Additional Information to Steve Chabot for Congress, 8/27/19] HEADLINE: “Authorities Investigating Money Missing From Ohio Congressman Steve Chabot’s Campaign” [Cleveland Plain Dealer, 9/4/19] HEADLINE: “Money Missing, Chabot Vows Thorough Audit” [Cincinnati Enquirer, 9/7/19] April 15, 2019: Chabot’s Campaign Reported Receipts Totaling $187,676.00 On Its First Quarter 2019 Campaign Finance Report. Chabot’s campaign reported “Total Receipts” of $187,676.00 on its First Quarter 2019 campaign finance report. [Federal Election Commission, Steve Chabot for Congress, filed 4/15/19] May 6, 2019: Chabot’s Campaign Filed An Amended First Quarter 2019 Campaign Finance Report That Reported Receipts Totaling $311,311.72. On May 6, 2019, Chabot’s campaign filed an amended First Quarter 2019 campaign finance report that reported “Total Receipts” of $311,311.72. [Federal Election Commission, Steve Chabot for Congress, filed 5/6/19] Chabot Used Campaign Funds To Pay His Son-In-Law Kevin Bischof’s Firm, Right Turn Design, For Web Design. “U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot's campaign has paid his son-in-law's company more than $150,000 for website design and other internet services over the last six years. Kevin Bischof, who married Chabot's daughter Erica in 2006, runs consulting firm Right Turn Design. On his LinkedIn page, Bischof says he started the company in 2010 as ‘a premier new media partner for conservative campaigns and organizations.’ Chabot, a Westwood Republican, began using Right Turn Design soon after Bischof launched the firm, paying out between $40,000 and $58,000 for each two-year election cycle, according to campaign finance reports. Right Turn Design has earned internet consulting fees from the congressman's re-election account, as well as from Chabot's leadership PAC, WinNovember, which currently appears to be inactive. So far this year, Chabot's campaign has paid Right Turn Design about $11,000, records show.” [Cincinnati Enquirer, 11/4/17] HEADLINE: “Chabot's Campaign Paid $150K To Family; While Legal, Groups Question Spending” [Cincinnati Enquirer, 11/4/17] HEADLINE: “Rep. Steve Chabot’s Campaign Has Paid Son-In-Law’s Firm More Than $150,000 For Web Consulting” [USA Today, 11/3/17] HEADLINE: “Chabot Campaign Pays $150K To Son-in-Law's Firm” [The Hotline, 11/6/17] Kevin Bischof Was President, Founder, And Web Strategist At Web Design Firm Right Turn Design, LLC. Kevin Bischof listed his occupation as “President and Web Strategist” at Right Turn Design, LLC. He described his role, “Kevin Bischof is a web developer and new media strategist with over 20 years of experience. A member of the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC), Kevin has participated in political campaigns for over 20 years and traces his passion to long days canvassing with fellow College Republicans, at the College of Wooster, for US Representative Ralph Regula's campaign in Ohio's then 16th District. In 2011 Kevin founded Right Turn Design, LLC as a premier new media partner for conservative campaigns and organizations. In 2015 Right Turn Design, LLC was a finalist for the 2015 Campaigns & Elections Reed Award for producing the successful ballot initiative website for the Cincinnati Museum Center, Yes on 8 - My Union Terminal. In 2019, Right Turn Design, LLC became the winner of the 2019 Campaigns & Elections Reed Award for the Best Website for Congressional Campaign for producing the Chabot for Congress campaign website.” [Kevin Bischof, LinkedIn, accessed 6/2/20] Chabot’s Son-In-Law Kevin Bischof Described His Work As “Web Design/Development” And Was Trained In Web Design. “Bischof did not respond to specific questions, but he sent a statement saying he has worked in ‘the web design/development business for 17 years’ and has two registered businesses: Right Turn Design and Bischof Design. He said most of his work is in the private sector through the latter company. He and Chabot’s daughter currently live in Watertown, N.Y., a small city in the northern part of the state. According to his LinkedIn page, Bischof graduated from the College of Wooster with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, sociology and computer science. Bischof worked as a web producer at Xavier University for five years, starting in 2005, before starting Right Turn Design. The firm’s website boasts of its ability to provide ‘uniquely designed websites paired with innovative tools’ to help candidates win campaigns.” [USA Today, 11/3/17] Right Turn Design Described Itself As A Web Design Company. “Right Turn Design, LLC partners exclusively with conservative campaigns and organizations to provide uniquely designed websites paired with innovative tools to help you achieve campaign success. We set ourselves apart from other internet technology companies by providing campaign focused solutions and we are driven by the very same principles and causes as you are.” [Right Turn Design, accessed 9/26/20] Right Turn Design, LLC Was Registered To Kevin Bischof In Ohio.