Livingston County Conservative Party leader admits to stealing over $16,000 in campaign funds for personal luxury, drawing attention to major gaps in financial oversight

New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced the conviction of a prominent state political figure, Jason McGuire, for misusing campaign funds for personal expenditures. McGuire, 49, who served as the Chairman of the Livingston County Conservative Party (LCCP) and Vice Chairman of the New York State Conservative Party’s Executive Committee, entered a guilty plea to two misdemeanor charges of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the Second Degree.

The charges came after an extensive investigation revealed that McGuire had been diverting funds from the LCCP’s political committee to cover personal expenses without proper disclosure. According to the Attorney General’s office, McGuire falsified campaign finance reports filed with the New York State Board of Elections, failing to declare over $16,000 that he transferred to personal accounts.

The misuse of the funds by McGuire included a range of personal expenditures for himself and his wife, encompassing expenses on clothing, dining, entertainment, fitness centers, beauty treatments, and other household costs throughout 2020 and 2021. To conceal these activities, McGuire exploited his authority within the party, which included check-writing privileges and overseeing financial documents. These actions violated New York election laws, which mandate comprehensive transparency in the financial operations of political committees by requiring them to accurately report expenditures and contributions.

“New Yorkers who donate their hard-earned money to political causes they support must be able to trust that their funds will be used as intended,” said Attorney General James. “Our investigation revealed that Jason McGuire abused his position in the New York Conservative Party to line his own pockets with party funds and cover up his theft. I thank the Board of Elections for their support in this investigation as we protect the integrity of our elections.”

The investigation, which led to today’s guilty plea, involved coordination with the New York State Police, who initially referred the case to the Attorney General’s Office. The Office also acknowledged the New York State Board of Elections for their critical role in the investigation.

The guilty plea was entered before Judge Thomas Moran at the Livingston County Supreme Court. Following the proceedings, McGuire now faces sentencing, which will conclude a case that has highlighted significant breaches of trust within New York’s political finance practices.

The case was managed by Assistant Attorney General Susan H. Sadinsky, under the oversight of Public Integrity Bureau Chief Gerard Murphy and Deputy Chief Kiran Herr. The comprehensive investigative efforts were led by Detectives David Buske and Christopher DiPasquale, with the audit functions carried out by Auditor Daniel Dudley and his team, showcasing the extensive resources devoted to maintaining legal and ethical standards in political campaigns and financial management.