Steve Stockman, who served as Orange County’s congressman for one term, is now in federal custody after a jury in Houston found him guilty of 23 of 24 felony charges involving fraud.
Texas Tribune reports the jury deliberated about three days in a trial that took nearly a month. The fraud involves $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.
According to The Hill, Federal prosecutors showed that Stockman funneled the money into accounts for his personal use and his campaign.
The Republican Stockman represented Jefferson County and part of the Houston area for one term beginning in 1995 after he beat long-time U.S. Representative Jack Brooks, a Democrat. Stockman did not win a second term.
Then in 2012, he successfully beat more than a dozen Republican candidates to represent the newly-created 36th District that includes Orange County. He did not run for the position in 2014 because he ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate against incumbent John Cornyn.
U.S. Marshals took Stockman into custody after the jury’s decision because federal prosecutors considered him a flight risk. The Hill reports he will remain in custody until his sentencing in August.
Ron Sigler says
Couldn’t happened to a bigger blithering idiot. I’m glad he is now ineligible to hold an elected office.
Chris brim says
Ok so remember when the guy who worked for the sheriffs office was found guilty of money laundering of over $187,000 and only served 1 year And 1 day in prison which is crap. So if he doesn’t get A sentence like this it’s baby back bull!!!!