No charges yet after FTX exec illegally donated $500k to Oregon Democrats using fake name

According to the Oregonian, a spokesperson for Fagan, Ben Morris, said, "If there is sufficient evidence, the case will be referred to the Oregon (Department of Justice). This is a criminal matter, so it is outside our authority." If enough evidence is discovered by the Elections Division, Fagan's office will recommend Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum pursue charges against Singh.

Morris said, "Secretary Fagan is very careful to avoid any perceived conflicts of interest by not involving herself directly in the investigation of elections complaints, just as previous secretaries from both parties have done." The Democratic Party of Oregon has given Fagan more than $424,000 in donations when she was running for state legislative seats and secretary of state. Fagan also has given $190,000 to the Democratic Party of Oregon.

"Investigations are conducted by Alma Whalen, a nonpartisan professional in the Elections Division who has served under six secretaries and been promoted in both Republican and Democratic administrations," Morris added.

In November, the Oregonian reported that the Democratic Party of Oregon PAC received a donation of $500,000, which was the largest donation ever received by the political action committee. The PAC reported that the money came from the Las Vegas-based cryptocurrency company Prime Trust. Representatives from that company told the outlet that they were used as a "pass-through" and that the money really came from Singh. Charges could be brought against the Democratic Party of Oregon for receiving the donation.

It is a Class C felony to use a fake name in making a campaign contribution under Oregon law.

Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, was the Democratic party's second biggest financial donor behind George Soros in the 2021-2022 election cycle. He was arrested on Tuesday for possible money laundering as well as fraud for his role in his company's loss of millions of investor dollars. He's alleged to have siphoned cash from FTX to pay off debt for the hedge fund company, Alameda Research, the CEO of which, Caroline Ellison, was in an on-again, off-again relationship with Bankman-Fried within a 10-person polyamorous "polycule." According to FEC filings, Bankman-Fried made $38 million in political contributions from 2021-2022. Bankman-Fried is alleged to have made tens of millions in illegal contributions as well.

In April, Politico reported that Prime Trust was named as a donor for Carrick Flynn, a failed Oregonian Democratic candidate for congress, but the cash really came from Singh and Bankman-Fried.