Congressional Campaign Staffer Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – Earlier today, Samuel Miele pleaded guilty at the federal courthouse in Central Islip to wire fraud committed while he was working as a fundraiser for a candidate seeking election to the U.S. House of Representatives (Candidate #1).  Miele agreed to pay $109,171 in restitution, $69,136 in forfeiture, and a separate stipulated payment of $470,000 to a contributor.  The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Joanna Seybert.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Nicole M. Argentieri, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Anne T. Donnelly, District Attorney, Nassau County, announced the guilty plea.

"The defendant used fraud and deceit to steal more than one hundred thousand dollars from his victims, funneling this money into the campaign committees of candidates for the House, and into his own pockets,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Defrauding potential political contributors undermines our democracy, and we will vigorously prosecute such conduct.”

“Today, Samuel Miele admitted to engaging in multiple frauds designed to improperly raise election campaign funds and for his own personal benefit.  Miele now rightly faces punishment in the criminal justice system for his criminal acts.  The FBI is committed to enforcing the laws that protect the integrity of electoral process – the hallmark of our democracy,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith.

“This defendant misrepresented himself as a high-ranking congressional aide to deceived political donors and used their money to pad his own pocket and the coffers of a candidate,” District Attorney Donnelly stated.  “The integrity of fundraising practices is essential for fair elections. We stand alongside our federal partners to protect our electoral institutions and are proud to assist in this prosecution.”

As part of the scheme, Miele impersonated a high-ranking aide to a member of House leadership while soliciting funds for Candidate #1’s campaign.  As part of his plea, Miele also admitted that he committed access device fraud by charging credit cards without authorization for contributions to the campaigns of Candidate #1 and other candidates, as well as for Miele’s personal use.  When sentenced, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Public Integrity Section and Long Island Criminal Division, and the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan Harris, Anthony Bagnuola, and Laura Zuckerwise, along with Trial Attorneys John Taddei and Jacob Steiner are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Rachel Friedman.

The Defendant:

SAMUEL MIELE
Age:  27
New York, NY

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-327 (JS)