Ex-Staffer Pleads Guilty to Siphoning Over $20K from Congresswoman's Bank Account

Courtney Hruska used the Ohio representative's financial information to pay off her own credit card debt over 10 transactions.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:33am

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A former congressional staffer for an Ohio congresswoman has pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges after siphoning over $20,000 from the representative's bank account to pay off her own credit card bills. Courtney Hruska, 40, worked on the congresswoman's staff for seven years and had access to her personal financial information, which she used to make 10 unauthorized wire payments to her own credit card between August 2023 and July 2024.

Why it matters

This case highlights the vulnerability of elected officials to insider theft and the importance of robust financial controls, even for long-serving staffers. It also raises questions about the congresswoman's own financial oversight and the potential impact on public trust in government.

The details

Hruska pleaded guilty to using the congresswoman's financial information to make 10 separate wire payments to her own credit card balance, totaling $22,865.07. She told officials that she knew the congresswoman was 'not tech savvy' and did not use electronic banking or receive immediate alerts from her bank, allowing the theft to go undetected for over a year.

  • Between August 19, 2023, and July 30, 2024, Hruska made the 10 unauthorized wire payments.
  • Hruska will be sentenced on June 23, 2026.

The players

Courtney Hruska

A 40-year-old former congressional staffer who pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges for siphoning over $20,000 from an Ohio congresswoman's bank account to pay off her own credit card debt.

Rep. Marcy Kaptur

The Democratic congresswoman from Ohio whose bank account was targeted by her former staffer, Courtney Hruska.

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What’s next

Hruska will be sentenced on June 23, 2026 and faces up to 20 years in prison.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for elected officials to maintain strict financial controls and oversight, even with long-serving staffers, to prevent insider theft and protect public trust in government.