Treasurer for Maryland Candidate’s Political Campaigns Indicted on Embezzlement Charges

Baltimore, Maryland - Today, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland unsealed an indictment, charging a treasurer who works for several political candidates and organizations, in connection with an embezzlement scheme.

James Appel, 58, of Annapolis, Maryland, is charged with wire fraud and money laundering. The indictment alleges that, in 2024, Appel stole approximately $100,000 from a Maryland State Delegate's campaign accounts and embezzled an additional $100,000 from an Anne Arundel County community organization. It is further alleged that Appel reported the stolen funds as his own assets on a loan refinance application for his yacht.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Baltimore Field Office.

According to the indictment, in May 2023, Appel transferred $100,000 from Politician 1's Account A to Politician 1's Account B, which was an account for which he was the sole designated representative. Then in April 2024, Appel contacted a bank about refinancing a loan on his Pacific Mariner 65 Motoryacht. The bank advised Appel that he needed to provide information about his assets, including the balances of his bank accounts.

In May 2024, Appel transferred campaign funds from Politician 1's Account B into his business account before eventually moving the money into his personal financial accounts. Specifically, on May 13, Appel transferred $40,000 from Politician 1's Account B to his business account.

Then, on May 13, Appel transferred $20,000 from his business account to one of his personal accounts and transferred another $40,000 from his business account to pay part of the outstanding balance from his line of credit. Additionally, on May 30, Appel transferred $60,000 from Politician 1's Account B to his business account. On the same date, Appel then transferred $60,000 from his business account to his personal account. In total, Appel embezzled $100,000 from Politician 1's campaign accounts.

On June 5, Appel transferred $100,000 from the Anne Arundel community organization account to his business account. On the same day, Appel transferred that $100,000 from his business account to his personal account. Additionally, on June 5, Appel emailed the bank about a refinancing loan for the yacht. In the email, he wrote: "I will be able to pull [bank] statements dates 6/18 and 6/22 for our checking account and [money market account] and they will show balances of 70k and 100k."

Then in August 2024, Appel submitted false and fraudulent information about his assets to the bank. He also prepared, signed, and submitted a false and fraudulent campaign report to the Maryland Board of Elections. This report falsely inflated the total balance of Politician 1's campaign accounts.

Additionally, in January 2025 and January 2026, Appel prepared, signed, and submitted false and fraudulent campaign reports to the Maryland Board of Elections. These reports falsely inflated the total balance of Politician 1's campaign accounts. In 2026, Appel also falsely and fraudulently represented the status and amount of Community Organization 1's assets to its board members.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

If convicted, Appel faces a maximum of up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire-fraud count and up to 10 years in federal prison for each money laundering count. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes commended the FBI for its work in the investigation and the Office of the Maryland State Prosecutor for its valuable assistance. U.S. Attorney Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Wenner and Ari D. Evans who are prosecuting the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.

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