Rep. Dana Rohrabacher has alleged his former campaign treasurer, Jack Wu, stole approximately $173,500 in campaign funds from the California Republican’s campaign committee.  

A Sacramento-based lawyer representing the 14-term congressman Wednesday announced Rohrabacher and his federal campaign committee, The Committee to Re-Elect Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, filed a criminal complaint with the Orange County District Attorney and the California Attorney General for embezzlement. Irregularity with a credit card tied to the campaign committee’s bank account led Team Rohrabacher to discover a massive drain of funds, according to a statement from attorney Charles H. Bell Jr. Rather than about $185,000 cash on hand in late May 2015, the account contained $187.  

Upon discovering the missing funds, Wu was immediately replaced as committee treasurer, a position he held for seven years. The bank account was also frozen.  

According to Bell, the committee “confronted Mr. Wu with these allegations and Mr. Wu admitted to taking approximately $173,500 in funds from the Committee’s account.” The committee also demanded “immediate, full restitution, and Mr. Wu promised to do so, but as of this date has failed to do so,” Bell stated.  

An attempt to reach Wu was unsuccessful. The voicemail at his Costa Mesa, Calif., business, WuBell Services Taxes and Accounting, was full on Thursday afternoon.  

On Twitter, Wu’s profile states, “Kick ass for da Lord! Tax guy too – offices in Costa Mesa & Los Angeles” and has not been updated since June 4.  

Wu filed for personal bankruptcy in 1996, according to court records, and has waged unsuccessful political campaigns at the local level in the past. He has not been formally charged with a crime.  

The Orange County Register  described Wu as a longtime political activist and freelance writer, who has used his pen to scold public officials for the misuse of tax dollars.  

Rohrabacher’s campaign committee is engaged in an audit of its financial and bank records during Wu’s tenure to determine the exact amount of money that may have been embezzled.  

“I am disappointed and dismayed by this betrayal of trust,” Rohrabacher said in a statement. He declined further comment when approached by CQ Roll Call in the Capitol on Thursday.  

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