I recently read that in 2008 Congressman Patrick McHenry got in trouble for misappropriated 20,000 dollars of PAC funds. He gave the money to a friend and supporter that was facing legal trouble for voter fraud (that was committed while the guy worked with Patrick McHenry). Instead of going to jail (like most people would), McHenry agreed to a deferred prosecution agreement that stipulated he complete 100 hours of community service and pay $240.50 in court fees and $250.00 in community service fees to have the charges dismissed.
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_McHenry#Use_of_PAC_fundsI then found this website that said that misappropriation of funds is embezzlement and punishable by prison time.
Source:
http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/criminal-defense/white-collar-crime/misappropriation-of-funds.htmWhy would someone that misappropriated funds get prison time, but a congressman got a slap on the wrist and the charges dismissed? This makes no sense to me.