QAnon darling, perennial GOP L.A. congressional candidate sentenced to 4 years for fraud

[ad_1] A Republican from the South Bay who raised tons of of 1000's of {dollars} operating unsuccessfully towards Rep. Maxine Waters 4 instances whereas selling QAnon conspiracy theories was sentenced to 4 years in federal jail for misusing marketing campaign funds, the Division of Justice introduced Monday.

Omar Navarro, 37, pleaded responsible in June to a single depend of wire fraud for defrauding his personal election marketing campaign. The perennial candidate had raised tons of of 1000's of {dollars} through the years from distinguished right-wing figures whereas selling QAnon conspiracy theories however by no means cracked 25% of the vote.

He was sentenced by U.S. District Choose Mark C. Scarsi, who ordered Navarro instantly remanded into federal custody. A restitution listening to will probably be scheduled at a later date to find out how a lot cash Navarro should pay to compensate victims.

Narvarro ran to signify Los Angeles County residents in California’s forty third Congressional District within the 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022 election cycles.

From July 2017 to February 2021, he funneled tens of 1000's of {dollars} in donations to his marketing campaign committee again to himself by way of his mom, Dora Asghari, and pal Zacharias Diamantides-Abel, prosecutors mentioned. In whole, his scheme diverted round $266,00 in marketing campaign funds, greater than $100,000 of which went immediately into his pocket, prosecutors mentioned.

“Defendant may have used that cash to purchase radio ads, buy billboard house, or ship a mailer to assist him within the election,” prosecutors wrote of their sentencing memorandum. “He selected as a substitute to steal his donors’ {dollars} and fund his lavish life-style, together with utilizing it to pay for Las Vegas journeys, fancy dinners, and even prison protection attorneys for his prison stalking cost after he had the audacity to make use of his marketing campaign cash to pay a personal investigator to stalk her.”

He arrange a sham charity referred to as the United Latino Basis to embezzle extra funds for his private use. He additionally wrote 1000's of {dollars}’ price of checks to Brava Consulting, an organization owned by his mom. This cash was allegedly fee for marketing campaign work, however the bulk of it was merely funneled again to him.

Initially, Navarro denied the allegations publicly, writing on X final 12 months that the claims had been “baseless” and advised Waters herself was behind the investigation. He pleaded responsible months later.

Prosecutors argued {that a} vital sentence was mandatory given the “extended and pervasive” nature of his fraud and to discourage others from participating in comparable habits “that undermines the very material of the marketing campaign finance system, a system designed to advertise belief in authorities.”

The opposite two individuals linked to the case had been additionally criminally charged.

Navarro’s mom pleaded responsible in June 2025 to at least one depend of constructing false statements after mendacity to the FBI when questioned about receiving funds from her son’s marketing campaign. She is going to resist 5 years in federal jail at her April 13 sentencing listening to.