This comment is not about a particular incident but just a generic personal opinion.
There will always be a debate about whether signature campaign managers should hold the funds or whether an escrow should be used to facilitate the process in order to mitigate any potential scams. Having an escrow does not necessarily mean a scam cannot take place but it adds a further of protection. It can backfire if the escrow decides to steal but there is always a risk no matter which way these matters of business are conducted.
If you do not have the back up money to repay then you should not hold someone else money before anything else.
using this logic, maybe 2 users are qualified to be campaign managers cause I don't think many of the old or new managers are holding thousands these days.