John Rowland Mills, 49, of Glendale, Ariz., a former policy analyst for the Arizona House of Representatives, was found guilty of nine counts of wire fraud by a federal jury in Phoenix. Mills embezzled approximately $133,000 from the James P. Weiers 2008 campaign account.
The evidence at trial showed that from December 2006 through January 2009, Mills embezzled from the campaign account, which consisted primarily of contributions from individuals, and used the embezzled funds to make mortgage payments, to pay for personal items such as clothing, food, and credit card bills. Mills also used the money to make various investments, including investments via multiple E*Trade accounts.
Mills also made a variety of false statements in an attempt to avoid detection, including forging the candidate’s signature on nine campaign account checks and filing six campaign finance reports with the Arizona Secretary of State that falsely overstated the amount of money in the campaign account. Finally, just before the 2008 election, Mills deposited money back into the campaign account in an attempt to avoid detection.
Each conviction for wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both.
The case was tried before U.S. District Judge James A. Teilborg from July 9 through July 23, 2013. Sentencing is set before Judge Teilborg on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013.