Former congressman TJ Cox pleads guilty to wire fraud schemes

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - Former congressman TJ Cox officially pleaded blameworthy to ligament fraud charges astatine a alteration of plea proceeding successful Fresno's national tribunal connected Monday.

The plea alteration applied to some felony charges: ligament fraud and ligament fraud affecting a fiscal institution. The alteration successful plea was portion of a woody made with national prosecutors successful December. Cox volition present beryllium facing a maximum condemnation of 30 years successful national situation and fines totaling arsenic overmuch arsenic $1 million.

In August 2022, Cox was charged with 28 felonies pursuing allegations of fraud for 4 abstracted ventures, including his 2018 legislature run and fraudulently obtaining a $1.5 cardinal operation indebtedness for Fresno's Granite Park. All but 2 charges were dropped arsenic portion of the deal.

TJ Cox entering Fresno's national tribunal connected Monday.

Former subordinate of the U.S. House of Representatives, Terrance John "TJ" Cox, represented California's 21st Congressional District betwixt 2019 and 2021. According to tribunal documents, Cox perpetrated fraud schemes from 2013 until 2018, illicitly obtaining lawsuit payments and institution loans and investments which helium past stole.

Prosecutors besides allege that TJ Cox utilized mendacious practice to assistance warrant a indebtedness to assistance get a $1.5 cardinal operation indebtedness for Fresno's Granite Park; it's alleged that helium fabricated a committee solution that falsely stated that the institution owners agreed to warrant the loan. That indebtedness aboriginal went into default.

TJ Cox leaving Fresno's national tribunal connected Monday.

Cox's lawyer says his lawsuit made mistakes but did immoderate bully successful the assemblage and present wants to determination on. His lawyer adds that the minimum condemnation successful this lawsuit is probation - a condemnation they are hoping to get.

TJ Cox is scheduled to instrumentality to Fresno's national tribunal for sentencing connected June 2.