Lexington man accused of embezzling $274,000 in campaign donations

The Nicholasville Police Department is investigating a Lexington man it says stole $274,000 in campaign-contribution checks intended for the Democratic Governors Association.

Michael Parker, 22, of 403 Hart Road, in Lexington was arrested Monday on a warrant by Jessamine County sheriff’s deputy Gerald Wheeler and booked into the Jessamine County Detention Center, where he later bonded out that same day on an unsecured $10,000 bond, according to court records. He has been charged with theft by unlawful taking, more than $10,000, which is a Class C felony.

Nicholasville police officer Kevin Grimes said the Democratic Association in Washington, D.C., alerted the autorities to the embezzling on Feb. 23, which led to the arrest following an investigation.

“They noticed that something was up with the account, so they contacted us,” Grimes said, adding that he expects the case to be tried locally.

“(Nicholasville police Lt. Mike Elder) talked with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office, but at this point, they are not going to pursue anything,” Grimes said.

According to a criminal complaint filed by Elder dated Feb. 28, Parker “worked at a check processing company in Lexington where he received and recorded” campaign contributions. The complaint said Parker allegedly “used his position to steal checks over a two-year period” (July 2010 to September 2012) and deposit them into his personal account at a Nicholasville bank.

The complaint further read that an audit of the account discovered that the total sum of stolen campaign checks deposited into Parker’s account was in excess of $250,000.

Parker has an arraignment scheduled for 9 a.m. March 28 in Jessamine District Court. If convicted, he could face between five and 10 years in prison.

Grimes does not expect any more arrests in the case.