Los Angeles, California — A four-time Republican challenger to Rep. Maxine Waters has been sentenced to four years in federal prison after admitting he defrauded his own campaign donors, the Justice Department announced Monday.
Omar Navarro, 37, pleaded guilty in June to one count of wire fraud for diverting campaign contributions for personal use. Navarro ran in California’s 43rd Congressional District in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022 but never secured more than 25% of the vote. During his campaigns, he raised hundreds of thousands of dollars while promoting QAnon conspiracy theories.
Federal prosecutors said that between July 2017 and February 2021, Navarro funneled roughly $266,000 in campaign funds through his mother and a friend, with more than $100,000 going directly to him. Court filings stated the money was used for personal expenses, including Las Vegas trips, high-end dining, and legal fees.
Navarro’s mother, Dora Asghari, pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI and faces up to five years in prison at her April sentencing. His associate, Zacharias Diamantides-Abel, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.
Prosecutors argued the sentence was necessary to deter conduct that “undermines the very fabric of the campaign finance system.”
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