fent
02-03-2006, 04:49 PM
WASHINGTON — A former staff member for U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett has admitted embezzling more than $166,000 from the Austin Democrat's campaign and also took money from another local campaign and a local organization, according to her attorney.
Kristi Willis, 37, is a well-known fixture in Austin's Democratic circles and has served on several community boards. She became a longtime trusted ally to both Doggett and Texas House District 48 Democratic candidate Andy Brown, from whom she has admitted taking $17,000.
Willis has apologized to both campaigns and to Capitol Area Democratic Women, for whom she was a treasurer and from which she also took money, lawyer Charles Grigson said.
Willis took at least $10,000 from the Capitol Area Democratic Women, the group's president, Alicia Butler, said in a statement Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Grigson issued a statement on Willis' behalf:
"Kristi Willis deeply regrets her actions and intends to repay all of the money taken without authorization. She has a serious personal psychological problem that has manifested itself in a spending addiction for which she is seeking long-term professional help."
Willis worked in Doggett's Austin office from 1998 to 2004, most recently as the congressman's district director, Doggett campaign Treasurer James Cousar said. In 1999, Willis volunteered to be Doggett's campaign bookkeeper and was in charge of recording all the checks that came in or were paid out, Cousar said.
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/nation/02/2doggett.html
Kristi Willis, 37, is a well-known fixture in Austin's Democratic circles and has served on several community boards. She became a longtime trusted ally to both Doggett and Texas House District 48 Democratic candidate Andy Brown, from whom she has admitted taking $17,000.
Willis has apologized to both campaigns and to Capitol Area Democratic Women, for whom she was a treasurer and from which she also took money, lawyer Charles Grigson said.
Willis took at least $10,000 from the Capitol Area Democratic Women, the group's president, Alicia Butler, said in a statement Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Grigson issued a statement on Willis' behalf:
"Kristi Willis deeply regrets her actions and intends to repay all of the money taken without authorization. She has a serious personal psychological problem that has manifested itself in a spending addiction for which she is seeking long-term professional help."
Willis worked in Doggett's Austin office from 1998 to 2004, most recently as the congressman's district director, Doggett campaign Treasurer James Cousar said. In 1999, Willis volunteered to be Doggett's campaign bookkeeper and was in charge of recording all the checks that came in or were paid out, Cousar said.
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/nation/02/2doggett.html