Erlene King, the former campaign treasurer for an unnamed candidate running for Brooklyn borough president in 2021, has pleaded guilty to obtaining fraudulent donations with the purpose of exploiting a matching funds program to illegally boost her client’s political success.

According to reports, King was serving as a campaign manager when she learned about New York City’s Campaign Finance Board (CFB)’s matching donation program. This program provides eligible candidates with public funds when they collect a certain amount of donor contributions and meet other criteria.

The matching funds program is designed to empower New Yorkers to have their voices heard in city elections by giving small-dollar contributions from average citizens a boost. The program is also meant to help boost engagement between potential politicians and voters.

In the 2021 election cycle for the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President, both candidates were eligible to participate in the matching funds program when specific criteria were met. One of the requirements was that the candidates had to meet a specific threshold for minimum donations. Each candidate was able to receive up to $8 in matching funds for every $1 of eligible contributions up to $175 per contributor. If a donor gave a $175 donation, then that equals out to $1,400 in matching funds.

In order to take advantage of the benefits, candidates were expected to raise at least $50,000.

King reportedly filed fraudulent contributions under false names to take advantage of the matching program. This was executed through intermediaries, identity theft, and filing fictitious records. King used the fake contributions to build up enough funds to receive fraudulent “matching” money from the program.

King recently admitted her guilt and pleaded guilty to all her charges. When sentenced, King could face up to 20 years in prison for her crimes if the judge gives King a maximum sentence.

One of the reasons why the penalties are so substantial for this crime is because abusing matching contributions is a violation of New York City’s fair and free election laws. By abusing the program, one campaign had an unfair advantage over the other, which hinders true democracy and takes away from each voter’s power at the voting booth.

To ensure that all candidates are on an equal playing field, New York City authorities are committed to enforcing election laws in every vote.

Campaign Related Crimes

Political corruption and campaign related crimes can lead to significant criminal consequences, including potential time behind bars, financial fines, and more. If you’ve been accused of committing or participating in an election or campaign related violation, then it’s imperative that you hire an experienced attorney as soon as possible. The right attorney will help you fully understand your charges, the potential consequences you face, and the best possible defense strategies that might work based on your circumstances.

Schedule a free, confidential meeting with our team of highly skilled Brooklyn lawyers now to learn more about how we can help you navigate your legal situation.