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Candidate for NYC Public Advocate Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

Angela Aquino admitted to scheming to defraud New York City's campaign finance system of $1 million in public matching funds.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 20, 2026, 4:22 p.m. ET
On August 20, 2026, Angela Aquino, a 2025 candidate for New York City Public Advocate, guilty to wire fraud in federal court in Brooklyn, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. The plea was entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Vera Scanlon. Aquino faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Aquino engaged in a scheme to fraudulently obtain $1 million in public matching funds from New York City's Campaign Finance Board (CFB). The scheme involved artificially inflating deposits into her campaign committee's bank account to appear to meet the $125,000 threshold required for matching funds. Aquino allegedly cycled funds through personal and intermediary accounts, falsified contribution cards, and used campaign funds for personal expenses, including rent. She also lied to federal agents about the recipients of some expenditures. The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr., DOI Commissioner Nadia I. Shihata, and FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. "The defendant, a former candidate for city office, admitted today that she attempted to defraud New York City of $1 million in public funds," Nocella said. The case is being prosecuted by the Office's Public Integrity Section.

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  1. Version 120 Aug 2026, 20:22current

    First published.

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