Gabriel Whitley Seeks to Vacate Guilty Plea in Campaign Finance Fraud Case, Citing Coercion and Disabilities

Gabriel “Gabe” Whitley, a former Indiana congressional candidate

Indianapolis, IN – April 22, 2025

Gabriel “Gabe” Whitley, a former Indiana congressional candidate who pleaded guilty in January 2025 to campaign finance fraud, filed a motion in early April to vacate his plea, alleging deception by the federal government and his attorney regarding the terms of the deal. The 27-year-old, who has autism, ADHD, and a learning disability diagnosed since birth, claims he was misled into believing the plea would result in no prison time. Today, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an amendment recommending a six-month prison sentence, intensifying the dispute.

Whitley, who ran as a Republican in the 2024 primary for Indiana’s Seventh Congressional District under the “Honest Gabe for Congress” banner, admitted to falsifying campaign contributions, including $222,690 from 67 individuals in October 2023, additional fictitious donations in January 2024, and a fake $100,000 loan in April 2024. These false reports, filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) as his campaign’s treasurer, aimed to inflate his campaign’s financial support. Whitley faced up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of probation, with sentencing initially set for January 28, 2025.

In early April, Whitley moved to vacate his plea, asserting that he discovered the government and his attorney had misrepresented the plea’s terms, specifically the promise of no incarceration. In an email to his attorney and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, Whitley rejected the deal, stating, “The Federal Government can shove their deal up their ass where the sun doesn’t shine.” He accused the government of systemic deceit, saying, “For too long, our government has deceived its citizens. They fabricated claims about weapons of mass destruction to justify wars, misled us into the Vietnam conflict, and were complicit in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, leader of the free world. Their concern over a single document is a facade—it was never about transparency or accountability. Instead, it’s about shielding a corrupt political machine and its institutions.” Whitley further alleged that FBI agents repeatedly visited his home, threatened his life, and coerced him into the plea under duress, claims that may be complicated by his autism, ADHD, and learning disability, which could affect his ability to navigate legal proceedings or perceive coercion.

The DOJ’s amendment today, recommending six months in prison, contradicts Whitley’s understanding of the original plea. Whitley’s motion to vacate argues his plea was involuntary due to misrepresentation and coercion, potentially amplified by his disabilities, which may be raised as factors in his legal argument. Courts sometimes consider neurodevelopmental conditions like autism and ADHD in assessing a defendant’s capacity to understand plea agreements or withstand pressure, though vacating a plea remains a high bar requiring evidence of coercion or deceit.

Whitley’s disabilities may play a role in his legal strategy, potentially supporting claims that he was misled or unable to fully comprehend the plea’s implications. In a January 2025 Facebook post, Whitley described his plea as a response to “political persecution,” but his recent filings signal a renewed battle against what he calls a “corrupt political machine.”.

The DOJ’s amendment likely delays sentencing pending a ruling on Whitley’s motion. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has not addressed Whitley’s allegations or his disabilities. The case continues to spark debate about campaign finance laws, government transparency, and the treatment of defendants with neurodevelopmental conditions.

Sources: Indiana Capital Chronicle, U.S. Department of Justice, Courier & Press, WIBC, X posts.

Note: Whitley’s allegations of coercion and government misconduct are unverified. His autism, ADHD, and learning disability are noted as reported but not independently confirmed in public records. All defendants are presumed innocent until a plea is upheld or guilt is proven.