Democratic state Rep. Carol Ammons and Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons indicted on fraud and obstruction charges

Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune on Jul 8, 2026

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CHICAGO — A federal grand jury indicted Democratic state Rep. Carol Ammons of Urbana on Tuesday on wire fraud and other charges.

Her husband, Champaign County Clerk and Recorder Aaron Ammons, is charged in the same indictment with conspiracy to obstruct justice and a separate count of obstruction of justice.

Carol Ammons, first elected in 2014, “devised a scheme to defraud” the state starting around 2017, according to an indictment handed up by a grand jury in the U.S. District Court for central Illinois.

Federal authorities alleged Carol Ammons falsified state campaign finance records to disguise payments to herself and her daughter, directed state and federal funds to organizations that used public dollars to pay her daughter, and overpaid individuals out of campaign funds, “then required the individuals to provide cash kickbacks to her,” according to the 12-page indictment.

Ammons then lied to an FBI agent investigating the alleged misuse of grant money and conspired with her husband to conceal the alleged misuse of campaign and public funds, according to the indictment.

Carol Ammons’ “scheme” was intended to enrich “herself by converting contributions and donations to her campaign to her personal use,” the indictment alleges.

Ammons and her daughter “received financial benefits in excess of $100,000,” the indictment alleges.

In addition to multiple counts of wire fraud, Carol Ammons is also charged with making a false statement and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Carol Ammons did not immediately respond Wednesday to a request for comment. Aaron Ammons was not available at the Champaign County clerk and recorder’s office, and a phone number and email address listed on his campaign website appeared to be disconnected.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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