Prosecutors Seek 8 Years For Campaign Treasurer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Federal prosecutors are recommending an eight-year sentence for a California campaign treasurer who pleaded guilty to defrauding at least $7 million from Democratic politicians.

Kinde Durkee is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Sacramento. She pleaded guilty in March to five counts of mail fraud.

Her plea deal called for a sentence of 11 to 14 years, but the U.S. Attorney's office is recommending a little more than 8 years. If the judge agrees, Durkee would have to serve 6 years and 10 months before she is eligible for parole.

A message left for her attorney, Daniel Nixon, was not immediately returned Monday.

Despite the loss of campaign money, Democrats this year added congressional seats, reached supermajorities in the Legislature and re-elected Sen. Dianne Feinstein.