An arrest warrant was issued today out of the Concord District Court for James E. Ryan (age 51). The warrant is for the crime of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, a Class A felony. The complaint alleges that between August of 2006 and October of 2007 Mr. Ryan exercised unauthorized control over $11,044.92, the property of the Committee to Elect House Democrats. The complaint further alleges that Mr. Ryan diverted this money without the permission of the Committee and with the purpose to deprive the Committee of the funds. Mr. Ryan was the Co-Chairman for the Committee to Elect House Democrats at the time he diverted the funds.

Mr. Ryan is currently being held at the Carroll County House of Corrections on unrelated charges. It is anticipated that he will be arrested on the above warrant within the next few days and an arraignment will then be scheduled.