Teena Hostovich admits to using others’ names for donations to gain Kennedy Center Board seat

DOJ Uncovers Political Donation Scheme

A prominent California insurance broker and political donor, Teena Maria Hostovich, has agreed to plead guilty to a felony charge after admitting she funneled over $75,000 in illegal political donations to federal campaigns between 2020 and 2023. The U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday that the scheme was aimed in part at securing Hostovich a position on the prestigious Kennedy Center Board of Trustees.

Hostovich, 66, served on the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts under the Biden administration and has been an active figure in Democratic political circles. She now faces sentencing for making contributions in the name of another aggregating more than $10,000 per year—an offense that constitutes a federal crime.

According to court documents, Hostovich used the identities of 11 individuals, including coworkers, their relatives, and others who provided personal services to her family, to make the donations. She either advanced the funds or reimbursed individuals shortly after the contributions were made, typically using PayPal.

“From May 2020 through 2023, Hostovich knowingly and willfully made a total of $75,700 in contributions in the names of others,” the DOJ said. She has agreed to pay a $43,500 fine as part of her plea agreement.

Effort Tied to Kennedy Center Ambitions

The Justice Department revealed that Hostovich’s motivations included boosting her chances of being appointed to the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees, a position that is typically awarded by the U.S. president or members of Congress. Though it remains unclear whether the donations directly influenced any appointment decisions, Hostovich’s public biography notes her involvement with the Kennedy Center and other cultural institutions.

In a statement submitted through her legal representative, Hostovich expressed remorse for her actions. “Teena Hostovich has agreed to plead guilty to one count of making contributions in the name of another, involving five donations of $2,900 each in 2021,” her spokesperson said. “She is accepting responsibility for her conduct early and swiftly.”

The spokesperson emphasized that Hostovich’s actions were out of character and that her long history of charitable work and political engagement reflected “a lifetime of hard work and generosity.” The statement also noted that Hostovich regretted any damage the case may cause to the candidates she supported, who had no knowledge of the scheme.

The Department of Justice has not disclosed which candidates received the illegal donations. However, campaign finance records show Hostovich has contributed extensively to Democratic candidates and committees for over a decade, with no recorded donations to Republican entities.

Hostovich is scheduled to appear in court on June 13 in Los Angeles. As part of her plea, she has cooperated with the FBI and law enforcement throughout the investigation. Her case adds to ongoing concerns about campaign finance transparency and the influence of political donations on federal appointments.