Wisconsin Republican Party says hackers stole $2.3 million

Hackers stole $2.3 million from the Wisconsin
Republican Party’s account that was being used to help reelect President Donald
Trump in the key battleground state, the party’s chairman told The Associated
Press on Thursday.
The party noticed the suspicious activity on Oct. 22
and contacted the FBI on Friday, said Republican Party Chairman Andrew Hitt.
Hitt said the FBI is investigating. FBI spokesman
Leonard Peace did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
“There’s no doubt RPW is now at a disadvantage with
that money being gone,” Hitt said. The party and campaign needs money late in
the race to make quick decisions, he said.
Hitt said the hackers were able to manipulate
invoices from four vendors who were being paid to send out direct mail for
Trump’s reelection efforts and to provide pro-Trump material such as hats that
could be handed out to supporters. Invoices were altered so when the party paid
them, the money went to the hackers instead of the vendors, Hitt said.
Hitt said it appears the attack began as a phishing
attempt.
Trump won Wisconsin by fewer than 23,000 votes in
2016 and it remains a key swing state this year. Trump planned his third visit
to the state in a week on Friday. Democrat Joe Biden also planned to campaign
in Wisconsin on Friday.