Former California Rep. T.J. Cox charged with multiple fraud schemes

Terrence John “TJ” Cox, 59, who is a former California congressman, has been arrested and charged on several counts of fraud, the Justice Department has confirmed.

Records state that Cox was arrested at 8:30am at the federal courthouse in Fresno, California.

According to the Justice Department, Cox is charged with 15 counts of wire fraud, 11 counts of money laundering, one count of financial institution fraud, and one count of campaign contribution fraud.

The Justice Department also stated that Cox fraudulently obtained a $1.5 million loan to do some re-development work on Granite Park, this is a recreation area within Fresno Park. Fox stated that one of his companies would guarantee the loan and he submitted fake documents confirming that all board members agreed to back the loan. The loan went into default and incurred losses of $1.28 million to the bank.

The Justice Department provided a lengthy statement of Cox’s other crimes on their website, before proceeding to confirm his possible sentences: “If convicted, Cox faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for wire fraud and money laundering. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for wire fraud affecting a financial institution and financial institution fraud. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for campaign contribution fraud.”

The Justice Department went on to say that any sentences would be at the court’s discretion.

Cox served as a congressman for California’s 21st Congressional District.  He was elected as a congressman in 2018, however he lost his re-election in 2020. Cox ran against David Valadao on both occasions.