A former Los Angeles County congressional candidate has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for embezzling more than $250,000 from his campaign.
Omar Navarro, 37, orchestrated the scheme with his mother, Dora Asghari, 61, and his friend, Zacharias Diamantides-Abel, 37. Federal prosecutors said Navarro used approximately $100,000 for personal trips to Las Vegas, legal defense for criminal stalking charges, and even Nintendo Switch video games.
Navarro ran in four elections for California’s 43rd Congressional District between 2016 and 2022. According to the Department of Justice, he began defrauding his campaign committee in July 2017, funneling cash to himself through payments to Asghari and Diamantides-Abel, who then returned the funds.
Prosecutors noted Navarro falsified disclosures to the Federal Election Commission and directed others to file false reports claiming the payments were legitimate campaign expenses. His campaign received over $1 million from donors nationwide, with Navarro diverting about $268,932 for personal use.
Navarro pleaded guilty in June 2025 to one count of wire fraud. Asghari pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI, while Diamantides-Abel pleaded guilty to conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.
According to FEC records, Navarro ran as a Republican and last ran in 2022, losing to incumbent Rep. Maxine Waters with 22.7% of the vote compared to Waters’ 77.2%, per the California Secretary of State.
