Member of Congress swindled out of $22,000 — by ex-staffer



A member of Congress has been the victim of theft, and the thief was someone the House member trusted for years.

On Tuesday, Courtney Hruska, 40, of Alexandria, Va., pled guilty to felony wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison at her sentencing hearing on June 23, the DOJ said in a press release.

Hruska admitted that she knew the victim was 'not tech savvy.'

Hruska stole a total of $22,865.07 from the victim, described in the DOJ press release only as "a member of the U.S. House of Representatives." According to the statement of facts signed by Hruska, Hruska worked for this congressperson as office scheduler, office manager, and administrative director between 2015 and early 2022.

NBC News reported that Hruska worked for longtime Ohio Democrat Rep. Marcy Kaptur, 79, though whether Hruska ever worked for any other member of Congress is unclear. The statement of facts reported that the victim had "a personal bank account ... at a financial institution in Brooklyn, Ohio."

Between August 2023 and July 2024, at least 18 months after leaving Kaptur's office, Hruska used the victim's personal bank account information on at least 10 separate occasions to make payments on her own credit card bills, the statement of facts said.

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Craig Hudson/Washington Post/Getty Images

Hruska had been given the victim's personal banking and credit card information to make "specific purchases" under "limited" circumstances as part of her "official duties" in the victim's employ, the statement of facts said. Prosecutors believe Hruska kept that information after leaving the victim's office.

Furthermore, Hruska left that job after securing another government position with the victim's help. The statement of facts claimed that the victim helped Hruska land a job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The USDA did not respond to a request for comment from Blaze News.

The victim kept track of personal finances by hand. Hruska admitted that she knew the victim was "not tech savvy" and likely would not get any alerts about the money transfers, the statement of facts said.

The victim discovered the missing funds after a check bounced in 2024. During the investigation, Hruska initially blamed "hackers from the dark web" for the money transfers from the victim's bank account to Hruska's credit card bills, the statement of facts said.

Because more than a year lapsed between the initial theft and the discovery of it, the victim was able to recover just 9% of the lost funds, or little more than $2,000.

Thus far, Kaptur's office has been tight-lipped about her former staffer's conviction. A spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment from Blaze News, NBC News, or the New York Post.

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ICE leader goes for Congress: Sheahan dumps desk for battle against 43-year Democrat incumbent



The Trump administration's deputy director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement has stepped away from her role to run for Congress.

Madison Sheahan announced Thursday that she was resigning from ICE to challenge Ohio Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who has held onto her seat since 1982.

'Real change means real leadership.'

Sheahan posted her first campaign video on Thursday morning and shared it on X.

"I'm Madison Sheahan. I'm a Trump conservative running for Congress to protect American jobs, American paychecks, and American values," she wrote. "No excuses. Let's get it done."

In the campaign video, Sheahan touted her success at ICE, stating that, in less than one year, she has "stopped more illegal immigration than Marcy Kaptur has in her 43 years in Washington."

"In Congress, hypocrisy, excuses, and failure can earn you a lifetime job, but on my family farm, that would put us out of business," she said.

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Madison Sheahan. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Sheahan highlighted how, during her time at ICE, the agency recruited 12,000 new agents and officers and deported over 2.5 million illegal aliens.

She slammed Kaptur for voting against funding the border wall while sending taxpayer handouts to illegal aliens. Kaptur also supported higher taxes on American citizens, including voting to keep taxes on Social Security, tips, and overtime, Sheahan stated.

"I'm tired of watching my hardworking family, friends, and neighbors pay more and get ignored," Sheahan continued. "Real change means real leadership. And I've done it before."

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Marcy Kaptur. Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

Kaptur's campaign responded to Sheahan's announcement, telling WTOL, "While Republicans from near and far will fight through a messy primary in this district they gerrymandered again just this fall, Congresswoman Kaptur is focused on delivering real results for her constituents."

"She's working to lower costs for working families, protect access to affordable health care, and bring transformative investments to Northwest Ohio," the statement continued. "Voters are tired of the self-dealing corruption and culture of lawlessness they've seen over the last year. They want a leader focused on affordability and real results, and Marcy Kaptur consistently works across the aisle to deliver both."

Several Republican candidates are running for Ohio’s 9th congressional district.

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Republicans set their sights on vulnerable Democrats in Congress



The National Republican Congressional Committee announced which House Democrats it is targeting next election cycle to expand the GOP majority.

The NRCC has set its sights on 26 "prime pickup opportunities" in light of the GOP's sweeping victory in November 2024. After taking back the White House, the Senate, and keeping the House, Republicans are eager to expand their power on Capitol Hill.

'Vulnerable House Democrats have been hard at work demonstrating they are painfully out of touch with hardworking Americans.'

House Democrats will be hit hard in swing states and even in deep-blue states. The NRCC is targeting five Democrats from California, including Reps. Josh Harder, Adam Gray, George Whitesides, Derek Tran, and Dave Min. Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez from the neighboring blue state of Washington is also on the NRCC's list.

The NRCC is also targeting New York Reps. Tom Suozzi, Laura Gillen, and Josh Riley. Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, who was the sole Democrat in the House to vote in favor of the GOP-led funding bill on Tuesday, was named as a target.

The NRCC is also keeping an eye on the Midwest, with Democratic Reps. Kristen McDonald Rivet of Michigan, Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, Emilia Sykes of Ohio, and Frank Mrvan of Indiana on its list.

The swing-state Democrats from Nevada are on the NRCC's radar, including Reps. Dina Titus, Susie Lee, and Steven Horsford. Democratic Rep. Don Davis from fellow swing state North Carolina is also one of the NRCC's target seats.

After making significant gains with Hispanics, the NRCC is also targeting Democrats with significant Latino populations like Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, Rep. Nellie Pou of New Jersey, and Rep. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico.

Although the South is usually a safe bet for Republicans, the NRCC is vying for a few pickup opportunities below the Mason-Dixon line, including Democratic Reps. Eugene Vindman of Virginia, Darren Soto of Florida, and Jared Moskowitz of Florida.

"House Republicans are in the majority and on offense,” NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson said. “Meanwhile, vulnerable House Democrats have been hard at work demonstrating they are painfully out of touch with hardworking Americans. Republicans are taking the fight straight to these House Democrats in their districts, and we will unseat them next fall.”

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Democratic staffer celebrates having his federal student loans forgiven, earning wave of backlash on X



Ben Kamens — who, according to his LinkedIn profile, works as communications director for the office of Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio — earned a tsunami of backlash for celebrating the cancellation of his student debt and thanking President Joe Biden.

"Just got a call to let me know my student debt has been canceled. This is why elections matter. Thanks @JoeBiden," Kamens tweeted.

'This reflects so poorly on the Dems.'

His post included a photo of a document that reads, "Congratulations! The Biden-Harris Administration has forgiven your federal student loan(s) listed below with Nelnet in full."

The document listed two loans, including one with an "Original Principle Balance" of $2,750 and another that had an original principle of $5,500.

"My job was paying it down for me ahead of schedule, but I'm happy to let the government cancel it instead of paying it off $400 a month and letting interest accrue," Kamens wrote in another tweet.

Actor Dean Cain told Kamens he should thank taxpayers instead of Biden: "You're thanking @JoeBiden ??? Is HE the one who paid off the loan you VOLUNTARILY took? You should be thanking the American taxpayer -- especially those didn't or couldn't afford to go to college."

"What a tool! Does this deadbeat know the loan he signed for was paid by truck drivers, carpenters, plumbers, mechanics & chumps like me who worked 40 hrs a week to pay for my college? He thanks Biden but Joe didn't use HIS money-he used $ of working ppl," former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee wrote.

Greg Gutfeld tweeted, "You're welcome. Freeloader."

"Glorified welfare," Dana Loesch wrote.

"Joe Biden is robbing from hardworking plumbers, electricians, and mechanics to pay off the student loans from congressional staffers ahead of schedule. This reflects so poorly on the Dems," Steve Guest declared.

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