Rep. Steve Chabot gets new campaign treasurer

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot has a new campaign treasurer, according to a new filing for the Federal Election Commission.

The document, filed on Sep. 16, lists Natalie Baur as the new campaign treasurer. According to FEC filings, Baur has served as finance director and treasurer for Sen. Rob Portman’s campaign since 2009. Baur also served as finance director for the Ohio Republican Party for five years.

The new treasurer appointment for Chabot’s campaign comes as the FEC investigates how $123,000 went missing in previous FEC filings.

The previous treasurer for the Chabot campaign was listed as James Schwartz Sr. However, he issued a statement last week saying he has never served in any official capacity for the Chabot campaign. Schwartz’s son, Jamie Schwartz, has served as a campaign aide for Chabot for years.

Jamie Schwartz has gone silent amid the investigation. A cell phone number for Schwartz has been disconnected and Local12 was not able to reach Schwartz last week at multiple addresses listed for him.

Mark Braden, attorney for Chabot for Congress, released a statement:

“As the campaign said when it first learned it was the victim of financial malfeasance, it is taking every available step to conduct a thorough review and audit of its finances and put controls in place to ensure nothing similar can happen again. As part of those efforts, the campaign has named as its new treasurer the most respected campaign compliance expert in Ohio. The campaign has also established rigorous processes and procedures going forward to safeguard its finances and ensure all future expenditures are documented and in compliance with the FEC.”