Katherine Buchanan, a resident of Alexandria, Virginia, and veteran of dozens of Democratic political committees, pleaded guilty to embezzling campaign contributions from three federal candidates and tax evasion, the Department of Justice announced on Tuesday. 

Buchanan worked in politics for over two decades, frequently serving as a campaign committee treasurer — the official responsible for stewardship of campaign funds and signing off on expenditures. Between 2020 and 2024, Buchanan abused her position to embezzle over $840,000 in campaign funds, according to the DOJ. Though the DOJ did not specify who Buchanan stole from, Democratic Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner announced that she had worked for them and they suspect she stole their funds.

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Campaign finance records show that Buchanan also worked for multiple Democratic-aligned super PACs, including Center Aisle PAC and Right Side of History PAC.

Buchanan used the funds she embezzled for a number of personal expenses, according to the DOJ. With the misappropriated funds, she purchased a Peloton exercise bike, plane tickets to Italy, yacht tours, meals at restaurants, concert tickets, clothes, landscaping services, and luxury suites. Buchanan also used the funds to make payments on her personal credit card.

In addition to stealing campaign funds, DOJ attorneys also accused Buchanan of evading $671,200 worth of income taxes.

Buchanan has reportedly attempted to return some of the funds she pleaded guilty to stealing from the campaign committees for which she previously worked. 

Kaine’s committee, for instance, has reported receiving over $150,000 from Buchanan. Center Aisle PAC also reported receiving funds from Buchanan after she allegedly stole from them.

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This isn’t Buchanan’s first brush with campaign finance enforcement authorities. In 2021, the Federal Election Commission fined the campaign committee of Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), where Buchanan was serving as treasurer, for failing to properly disclose campaign contributions. 

Buchanan faces up to five years in jail for each of the charges she faces, though the DOJ press release notes that “sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.”