QAnon-backed former politician sentenced for marketing campaign fraud

A Republican from the South Bay who raised a whole lot of 1000’s of {dollars} working unsuccessfully towards Rep. Maxine Waters 4 occasions whereas selling QAnon conspiracy theories was sentenced to 4 years in federal jail for misusing marketing campaign funds, the Division of Justice introduced Monday.

Omar Navarro, 37, pleaded responsible in June to a single rely of wire fraud for defrauding his personal election marketing campaign. The perennial candidate had raised a whole lot of 1000’s of {dollars} over time from outstanding right-wing figures whereas selling QAnon conspiracy theories however by no means cracked 25% of the vote.

He was sentenced by U.S. District Decide Mark C. Scarsi, who ordered Navarro instantly remanded into federal custody. A restitution listening to will likely be scheduled at a later date to find out how a lot cash Navarro should pay to compensate victims.

Narvarro ran to characterize Los Angeles County residents in California’s forty third Congressional District within the 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022 election cycles.

From July 2017 to February 2021, he funneled tens of 1000’s of {dollars} in donations to his marketing campaign committee again to himself by his mom, Dora Asghari, and pal Zacharias Diamantides-Abel, prosecutors mentioned. In complete, his scheme diverted round $266,00 in marketing campaign funds, greater than $100,000 of which went immediately into his pocket, prosecutors mentioned.

“Defendant may have used that cash to purchase radio ads, buy billboard house, or ship a mailer to assist him within the election,” prosecutors wrote of their sentencing memorandum. “He selected as a substitute to steal his donors’ {dollars} and fund his lavish way of life, together with utilizing it to pay for Las Vegas journeys, fancy dinners, and even prison protection attorneys for his prison stalking cost after he had the audacity to make use of his marketing campaign cash to pay a personal investigator to stalk her.”

He arrange a sham charity known as the United Latino Basis to embezzle extra funds for his private use. He additionally wrote 1000’s of {dollars}’ value of checks to Brava Consulting, an organization owned by his mom. This cash was allegedly fee for marketing campaign work, however the bulk of it was merely funneled again to him.

Initially, Navarro denied the allegations publicly, writing on X final yr that the claims had been “baseless” and urged Waters herself was behind the investigation. He pleaded responsible months later.

Prosecutors argued {that a} important sentence was essential given the “extended and pervasive” nature of his fraud and to discourage others from partaking in related conduct “that undermines the very cloth of the marketing campaign finance system, a system designed to advertise belief in authorities.”

The opposite two individuals related to the case had been additionally criminally charged.

Navarro’s mom pleaded responsible in June 2025 to 1 rely of creating false statements after mendacity to the FBI when questioned about receiving funds from her son’s marketing campaign. She is going to withstand 5 years in federal jail at her April 13 sentencing listening to.

Diamantides-Abel pleaded responsible in Might 2025 to 1 rely of conspiracy and awaits sentencing.