A longtime Maryland Republican campaign treasurer has been questioned by federal authorities in connection with a six-figure campaign finance discrepancy, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
Sources not authorized to speak to the media about the situation told Spotlight on Maryland that James Appel has been questioned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding more than a $100,000 in what they described as an inconsistent bank balance tied to Maryland Del. Kathy Szeliga’s campaign finance account.
Szeliga, R-Baltimore County, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Appel has not been charged with a crime, and federal authorities have not publicly confirmed that an investigation exists.
When asked by phone Monday night if he had been in contact with the FBI, Appeal did not deny the allegations and referred further questions to his attorney, Steven Wrobel.
Wrobel responded “no comment” during a brief phone call later Monday evening after Spotlight on Maryland asked him directly whether his client had been questioned, visited or had property seized by the FBI.
After his brief response, Wrobel abruptly ended the call.
On Tuesday morning, a spokesperson for the FBI Baltimore field office replied to a question about an investigation into Appel, saying, “As a matter of longstanding policy, we do not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation.”
Meanwhile, Jared DeMarinis, state administrator of elections, was asked by Spotlight on Maryland whether the Maryland State Board of Elections had opened a compliance investigation into Appel.
“We always defer to law enforcement prior to our investigations,” DeMarinis wrote in a text message.Szeliga’s campaign committee filings show significant cash activity during the most recent reporting period.
In a campaign finance report submitted at 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 21 to the Maryland Board of Elections, the Friends of Kathy Szeliga — the delegate’s campaign election committee — had a bank account balance of $287,481.55.
The filing documents more than $106,000 in new campaign donations during the 2025 reporting period and slightly more than $52,000 in expenditures.
Annapolis-based GOP Compliance, an entity registered to Appel according to state records, reported $1,900 in expenditures during the reporting period.
State campaign finance records show that between January 2020 and February 2026, GOP Compliance received $239,453.02 in payments and reimbursements from 22 campaign committees.
Appel is listed or has been listed as a campaign treasurer for more than 40 Republican candidate committees or initiatives. The Maryland Republican Party continues to list him as its comptroller. He previously served as treasurer for former Gov. Larry Hogan’s campaign account, which is now closed.
The Maryland Republican Party could not immediately be reached for comment.
At least two Republican campaign committees — including Del. Matt Morgan, R-St. Mary’s County, and the Maryland Freedom Caucus — have taken steps as of Feb. 10 to remove Appel as their treasurer.
Morgan was pressed by Spotlight on Maryland on Monday evening about the allegations against Appel.
“I don’t know,” Morgan said. “The FBI has not reached out to me yet.”
Maryland records show that Appel continues to be listed as Szeliga’s campaign treasurer.
Send news tips to gmcollins@sbgtv.com or contact Spotlight on Maryland’s hotline at (410) 467-4670.
