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Report: Durham Spent Millions On Political Donations, Gifts

Trustee: Durham Gave $1M In Political Contributions

POSTED: 7:07 pm EDT August 4, 2010

A new report details millions in political contributions, gifts and lavish purchases made by Tim Durham using funds from his bankrupt Ohio-based company, Fair Finance.

Bankruptcy trustee Brian Nash told creditors Durham personally owes at least $54 million, including $17 million in gifts and loans made to family and friends; $10.3 million spent on vehicles; $2.8 million spent on gambling and resorts; $852,000 spent on lawn work and garage work; and $201,000 spent on clothing.

Slideshows: Classic Cars Hauled Away From Durham Estate | 2007: Inside Durham's House

Nash told 6News' Rafael Sanchez he believes about $1 million from Fair Finance was also used to fund political donations.

6News has confirmed that at least some of the recipients have received letters asking them to consider returning that money.

According to Bash's report, the Indiana Republican State Committee received $185,000 with ties to Fair Finance.

Party communications director Trevor Foughty said it's too early to say whether the money will be returned.

"It has long been our practice to spend the money we raise in the election cycle in which it was donated. This is certainly the case with Mr. Durham's contributions, as his donations came several years ago," he said. "At this point, it is too premature to say if we would deviate from that practice and we will withhold further judgment and comment until a court rules in the case."

The report also shows the Mitch for Governor fund received $195,000, while $225,000 went to Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi, a long time friend of Durham.

Asheesh Agarawal, an attorney for a Daniels' campaign committee, told 6News that it's not out of the question that the money could be returned, while Brizzi's office said they hadn't been questioned about the funds.

"We have not been contacted about any specifics or particulars by the bankruptcy trustee appointed to this case. In this regard, we can offer no further detail to the matters arising in the court proceedings," read a statement released on Wednesday.

Nash is already in possession of several of Durham's homes and $2 million in valuable pieces of art while 27 of Durham's high-priced vehicles have been seized in recent weeks.

Eric Johnson, a professor of accounting at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, isn't working on the Durham case, but said he knows how difficult it can be to pin down assets in cases like these.

"Someone who is interested in committing fraud is going to do their best to cover their tracks and make it look like something else," he said. "(But) given enough time and enough resources, you can usually untangle the paper trail."

Hundreds of investors in Ohio are counting on Nash to recoup about $200 million in assets.

Fair Finance hasn't reopened since FBI raids last November. Investigators said they believe Fair Finance, which was forced into bankruptcy, was a ponzi scheme that cheated investors out of millions of dollars.

Despite the ongoing investigation, Durham is not charged with any crimes. His attorney did not return calls for comment on Wednesday.

More Information: Bankruptcy Trustee Report On Tim Durham's Finances

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