Durkee attorney challenges number of fraud victims listed by feds

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A federal prosecutor has called Kinde Durkee ‘the Bernie Madoff of campaign treasurers’ for a 12-year spree in which she stole $7 million from more than 50 clients, but her attorney says in new court papers that prosecutors have ‘overstated’ the number of victims.

A pre-sentencing document prepared by federal officials lists 77 clients of Durkee who they believe are victims. That list is believed to include Sen. Dianne Feinstein and state Sen. Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana).

But Daniel V. Nixon, an attorney for Durkee, says in court papers that 19 of those on the list did not lose any money, two others should not be on the list, and nine others lost less than $2,500 each.

‘Although the number of victims technically exceeds 50, the majority of the total loss amount in this case is attributable to a group of victims numbering far fewer than 50,’ Nixon wrote in the defense filing. Even so, Durkee believes the 97-month sentence proposed by prosecutors is ‘just and appropriate,’ the filing adds.

Nixon also said the case has been difficult for Durkee’s family and friends who ‘have a difficult time reconciling the person they know with the crime she committed.’ One unidentified sister is quoted in the court filing as saying Durkee’s crime ‘goes against everything we know about our sister’s character.’

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