In today's Politico, Patrick O'Connor and John Bresnahan provide more details about the financial scandal at the National Republican Congressional Committee:
"Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas), a certified public accountant, had pushed for months for an internal audit of the National Republican Congressional Committee, according to GOP members, but the committee’s treasurer at the time was reluctant.
Finally, at a recent meeting, the now former NRCC treasurer, Christopher J. Ward, relented, giving Conaway what was supposed to be an official internal audit from 2006. That document was a fake, the GOP members said. Even the letterhead on which it was sent was a forgery.
Revelations about the falsified document touched off an unfolding scandal that has rocked the NRCC and spurred a criminal investigation by the FBI into the committee’s accounting procedures..."
The investigation centers around long-time RNCC treasurer, Christopher J. Ward who, according to Roll Call,, was treasurer of at least 31 GOP PACs and committees until the news of the investigation broke.
Questions about Ward were raised by Daily Kos diarist, chriscol, in a 9/3/06 diary, "WhoTF is Christopher J. Ward? (UpDt - 25 PACs?)."
This could be just what we need going into an election year - a big, fat juicy GOP scandal. If anyone has time on their hands, searching FEC campaign records signed off by Christopher J. Ward could be a worthwhile endeavor. I intend to do my share!