Young Democrats’ bank account frozen

It could take years for the Irvine-based Orange County Young Democrats to free up thousands of dollars in funds the organization raised in recent months because its treasurer is accused of mail fraud and the courts have locked the account, OCYD Chairman Nick Anas told the board Tuesday.

Anas wrote that he has tried to find out how much the OCYD has in its First California bank account and when it can withdraw the funding, but the bank has left the matter with the Los Angeles County court system while OCYD’s political treasurer, Kinde Durkee, faces federal charges.

Durkee, head of Durkee & Associates in Burbank, handled the finances for hundreds of political committees, Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim).

In a federal affidavit, Durkee is accused of stealing hundreds of thousands from Solorio’s 2010 reelection campaign to pay for her firm’s payroll, her mother’s nursing care and other personal expenses.

She has yet to enter a plea, according to court records.

In his message to the OCYD executive board, Anas wrote that the effort to reclaim some of its funds from the First California bank could take months or years and the organization is seeking pro bono legal consultation.

—Joseph Serna

Twitter: @JosephSerna