A former staffer for Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $23,000 from the congresswoman's bank account to pay off personal credit card debt. Courtney Hruska, 40, admitted to felony wire fraud in a Virginia court and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, though she is likely to receive a lesser term when sentenced on June 23 by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.
Hruska worked for Kaptur from 2015 to 2022, serving as her scheduler, office manager, and later administrative director. The congresswoman entrusted Hruska with her personal credit card and bank account information to make authorized purchases. After leaving Kaptur's office in early 2022, Hruska began a new job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Between August 2023 and July 2024, Hruska made 10 unauthorized transfers totaling $22,900 from Kaptur's account to her own credit card bills. She believed she would not be caught because Kaptur was not tech-savvy and did not use electronic banking alerts. The theft was discovered in late 2024 when a personal check Kaptur wrote bounced due to insufficient funds. Hruska initially denied involvement but later confessed.
Kaptur's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.