Former Durham Committee PAC chair indicted in $75K embezzlement case
A grand jury has indicted the former chair of an influential political action committee in Durham on multiple felony counts, following a year-long investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation.
Cassandra Stokes, the former chairperson of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People’s Political Action Committee (PAC), is charged with two counts of felony embezzlement and one count of obtaining property by false pretenses.
The indictment was issued Monday after the SBI’s financial crime unit began investigating the theft of nearly $75,000 from the organization. The committee’s leadership triggered the probe after a 2024 transition in power revealed deep-seated “financial malfeasance.”
The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People is one of the most influential political engines in the state. Founded over 90 years ago, the organization has historically served as a cornerstone for Black political power in Durham, voter education, and candidate endorsements.
The charges
According to court documents, Stokes, 35, is accused of:
- 2023 misappropriation: embezzling about $31,500 in 2023 while serving as the PAC chair
- 2024 misappropriation: embezzling about $43,475 in 2024
- False Pretenses: Obtaining a total of about $75,000 by “knowingly” and “designedly” intending to cheat the committee.
Prosecutors allege Stokes converted the funds to her own use by writing checks to herself and “cash,” making unauthorized ATM and branch withdrawals and using the PAC’s debit card for personal care and entertainment.
The situation came to light early last year when former Sen. Floyd McKissick Jr. took over as the chairman of the executive committee, along with then-PAC leaders Donald Hughes and Elaine O’Neal. McKissick said he discovered a lack of transparency and missing bank statements.
An audit by a certified public accountant confirmed the irregularities, leading McKissick to refer the matter to District Attorney Satana Deberry.
The Political Action Committee is governed by State Board of Elections laws.
A legacy under strain
After the discovery, the PAC faced scrutiny and the resignations of Hughes, O’Neal, the former Durham mayor, and two other committee members. In an interview last year, McKissick told The News & Observer that the organization itself is a victim.
Monday, he thanked the DA and SBI’s offices for conducting a “thorough” investigation.
“The Durham Committee is grateful for the investigation that has resulted in these charges being brought and it looks forward to the judicial outcome of this case,” he said in a statement.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 6:47 PM with the headline "Former Durham Committee PAC chair indicted in $75K embezzlement case."