Orange County’s former congressman, Steve Stockman, will serve 10 years in federal prison for his April conviction of 23 counts of felony fraud.
A federal judge in Houston Wednesday sentenced Stockman. After the jury’s decision in April, the judge ruled Stockman a flight risk and ordered him held until sentencing. The website Chron.com reported Stockman appeared in court Wednesday wearing a prisoner’s orange jump suit.
The trial took nearly a month and the jury deliberated three days. The fraud involved $1.25 million in contributions from conservative mega-donors. The donations were to be used to help educate voters and renovate the “Freedom House,” a place for young Washington, D.C., interns to use.
Federal prosecutors showed that Stockman funneled the money into accounts for his personal use and his campaign. The purchases include hot air balloon rides and a dishwasher.
Stockman beat more than a dozen Republicans in 2012 to become the first U.S. representative for the then-new 36th District of Texas. He chose to run against U.S. Senator John Cornyn in 2014 instead of seeking re-election for the seat. He lost to Cornyn.
He also represented a different district that included Jefferson County, for one term from 1995-97.
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