Former Congressional Candidate Sentenced for Embezzlement Scheme

A former congressional candidate from Los Angeles County faces a four-year prison sentence after orchestrating a scheme to embezzle over $250,000 from his campaign funds. Omar Navarro, age 37, admitted to mismanaging campaign finances alongside his mother and a friend, leading to significant legal repercussions.

Financial Misconduct Uncovered

According to the Department of Justice, Navarro misused campaign funds from July 2017 to February 2021, diverting approximately $268,932 from contributions his campaign received. He ran four times between 2016 and 2022 for California’s 43rd Congressional District, covering areas such as Inglewood and Torrance.

Spending Misallocation

Navarro allocated $100,000 of embezzled funds on various personal expenses, including trips to Las Vegas and legal fees related to criminal stalking charges. He also admitted to splurging on Nintendo Switch video games, as stated by federal prosecutors.

Details of the Fraudulent Scheme

The scheme began about a year after Navarro’s first congressional campaign. He funneled campaign money to pay members of his team—his mother, Dora Asghari (61), and friend, Zacharias Diamantides-Abel (37)—under the pretense of legitimate campaign activities. After receiving these payments, both Asghari and Diamantides-Abel returned a portion of the funds to Navarro.

Falsifying Reports

Navarro misled the Federal Election Commission (FEC) by submitting false disclosures and encouraging others to file erroneous expense reports that misrepresented the payments as legitimate campaign expenses. His campaign had acquired over $1 million in donations from supporters nationwide, which he manipulated to benefit himself unlawfully.

Legal Consequences

In June 2025, Navarro pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. His mother also pled guilty to making false statements to the FBI, while Diamantides-Abel has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

Election Records

As a Republican candidate, Navarro’s most recent bid for office occurred in 2022, where he suffered a significant defeat against incumbent Rep. Maxine Waters. He received only 22.7% of the vote compared to Waters’ 77.2%, according to reports from the California Secretary of State.

Conclusion

Omar Navarro’s case serves as a cautionary tale about the misuse of campaign funds and the severe legal implications of such actions. The investigation and subsequent sentencing underscore the importance of transparency and integrity in political finance.

For further details on campaign finance regulations, visit FEC.gov.