Woman sought Kennedy Center board seat through illegal political donations: DOJ

A Los Angeles County woman, Teena Maria Hostovich, who served on a presidential advisory committee under the Biden administration and has a history of donating to Democrats, has reached a plea agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) for making tens of thousands of dollars in illegal campaign contributions to reportedly secure a seat on the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, the DOJ announced Wednesday.

Hostovich, 66, was charged with making contributions in the name of another aggregating to more than $10,000 in a year, which is a felony, the DOJ reported. She admitted in her plea agreement that she carried out the scheme in part to secure a spot on the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees, which is the national cultural center of the U.S. located in Washington, D.C.

An insurance broker, Hostovich used the identities of 11 other people, including co-workers and family members of co-workers, to illegally contribute more than $75,000 to political candidates between 2020 and 2023, the DOJ stated in a press release.

According to the plea agreement, Hostovich made a total of $75,700 in contributions to federal candidates’ principal campaign committees and federal joint fundraising committees in the names of other people. She has agreed to plead guilty to the federal criminal charge and pay a $43,500 fine.

Her scheme involved contacting co-workers, their family members, and others to ask them to make a donation to a political campaign or fundraising committee. She would then use PayPal to reimburse the individual for the contribution or pay them upfront before the contribution was made.

Hostovich’s website promoting a book she wrote in 2024 on climbing America’s corporate ladder also mentioned her membership in the Clinton Global Initiative and her appointment by President Biden to serve on the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts. She is also the Co-Chair of the Advisory Council to the Kennedy Center’s President and Chairman.

The DOJ did not specify Hostovich’s political affiliation, but Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show her extensive donations to Democrat politicians, the Democratic Party, and left-wing political action committees.

Hostovich is scheduled to appear in court on June 13 in Los Angeles. She has cooperated fully with law enforcement authorities and is committed to making amends for her actions, according to a spokesperson.

In conclusion, Teena Maria Hostovich’s illegal campaign contributions have led to a plea agreement with the Department of Justice. Her case serves as a reminder of the consequences of violating campaign finance laws, regardless of political affiliation.