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California CEO funneled over $75,000 in illegal donations using 11 others—Feds say it was for political clout

Jacob Shelton May 22, 2025

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Candidates for a 25th Judicial District judge vacancy will be interviewed on Sept. 8 at the Finney County Courthouse. Gavel

Los Angeles, California – A La Cañada Flintridge woman and longtime insurance brokerage executive has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges after prosecutors say she illegally funneled over $75,000 in campaign contributions through others to gain political favor.

Teena Maria Hostovich, 66, was charged Tuesday with making “conduit” campaign contributions—donations made in another person’s name to circumvent federal campaign finance laws. The felony offense carries a statutory maximum sentence of two years in federal prison.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Hostovich used a network of 11 individuals—including colleagues at her insurance brokerage firm, their family members, and people who performed personal services for her or her family—to contribute on her behalf. Between 2020 and 2023, prosecutors said Hostovich reimbursed or fronted the money for the individuals’ donations, primarily using PayPal.

“Hostovich generally advanced or reimbursed these individuals in amounts that exceeded the exact contribution amount but often the amounts were very close,” the DOJ stated.

Prosecutors say Hostovich deliberately avoided federal contribution limits by obscuring the true source of the donations. She allegedly made illegal contributions to several recipients, including a joint fundraising committee involving a U.S. senator’s campaign, a senatorial candidate, two U.S. House campaigns, and a presidential campaign committee.

In her plea agreement, Hostovich admitted that she partly orchestrated the scheme to secure a prestigious appointment to the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees in Washington, D.C. She was never awarded the positions.

Authorities expect Hostovich to pay a $43,500 fine and appear in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles in the coming weeks to formally enter her guilty plea.

Authorities emphasized that Hostovich never disclosed her role as the donor to any political committees involved. The FBI conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas F. Rybarczyk of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section is prosecuting the case.

A veteran political donor and fundraiser, Hostovich had previously contributed to numerous federal candidates and hosted campaign events. Prosecutors noted that she was fully aware her actions were illegal.

“She knew it was unlawful to make conduit contributions,” the DOJ said. “She did it anyway.”

If convicted, Hostovich faces up to two years in federal prison, although sentencing outcomes can vary depending on multiple factors, including cooperation and prior criminal history.

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