Sen. Dianne Feinstein spoke up about being a victim of what's thought to be the nation's largest campaign treasurer fraud ever prosecuted, calling the situation a "very hard thing."
Kinde Durkee, the prominent campaign treasurer used by Feinstein and many other California Democrats, pleaded guilty earlier this month to defrauding clients of at least $7 million. Feinstein's multi-million dollar war chest was one of the accounts that was hit hardest.
While her request to seek more money from donors whose contributions were misappropriated is expected to be rejected by federal elections officials this week, Feinstein said she is not "terribly worried" about the losses hurting her re-election prospects. She has already put up $5 million of her own money to make up for lost cash and is suing the bank where the committee funds were held.
Feinstein said while she had no personal relationship with Durkee, the news was particularly difficult because she had used Durkee for campaigns in the past. She echoed a reporter's characterization of the embezzlement, calling it a "big betrayal."
"She had a big business," she said. "She was the go-to Democratic fiduciary."
Watch a video of Feinstein's full remarks on the subject.
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