Steve Stockman

Stephen Ernest Stockman
Born:	November 14, 1956 Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Charges:	Fraud, Money laundering, Conspiracy (23 felony counts)
Sentence:	10 years (commuted after 2 years)
Facility:	FCI Beaumont Low
Status:	Commuted

Stephen Ernest Stockman (born November 14, 1956) is a former American politician and convicted felon who served two non-consecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Texas. Known as a conservative firebrand, Stockman served from 1995 to 1997 and again from 2013 to 2015. In 2018, he was convicted on 23 felony counts related to fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy for misusing approximately $1.25 million in charitable donations meant for conservative causes. He was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison but served only about two years before President Donald Trump commuted his sentence on December 22, 2020. Unlike a pardon, the commutation left Stockman's conviction intact, and he remained obligated to pay over $1 million in restitution.

Summary

Steve Stockman first rose to national prominence in 1994 when he defeated 42-year incumbent Jack Brooks as part of the Republican Revolution that swept Democrats from power in Congress. His first stint in Congress was marked by controversial statements and associations, including his promotion of conspiracy theories about the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. He chose not to seek reelection in 1996 and lost a Senate primary bid.

After years out of office, Stockman returned to Congress in 2013, representing a different Texas district. He immediately positioned himself as one of the most conservative members of Congress and challenged Senator John Cornyn in the 2014 Republican primary, losing decisively.

Following his departure from Congress, federal investigators began examining Stockman's finances. They discovered that he had defrauded donors to conservative organizations, diverting approximately $1.25 million intended for charitable purposes to fund personal expenses and political activities. His conviction on 23 felony counts resulted in the longest prison sentence for a former member of Congress in decades.

Background

Early Life

Stephen Ernest Stockman was born on November 14, 1956, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. His early years were troubled, and he struggled with homelessness and various jobs before settling in Texas.

Pre-Political Career

Before entering politics, Stockman worked as an accountant and was involved in various conservative political causes in the Houston area. He became active in Republican politics in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Political Career

First Term in Congress (1995-1997)

In 1994, Stockman ran against longtime Democratic incumbent Jack Brooks in Texas's 9th Congressional District. Brooks had served in Congress for 42 years and was chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Riding the wave of the Republican Revolution led by Newt Gingrich, Stockman pulled off a stunning upset victory.

During his first term, Stockman established himself as one of the most conservative members of Congress. He was known for controversial statements, including suggesting that the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing might have been a government conspiracy. He also distributed a document promoting the conspiracy theory that federal agents had deliberately set the fire during the 1993 Waco siege.

Rather than seek reelection in 1996, Stockman ran for the U.S. Senate but lost in the Republican primary.

Return to Congress (2013-2015)

After years out of elected office, Stockman returned to Congress in January 2013 after winning election in Texas's newly redrawn 36th Congressional District. He quickly resumed his role as a conservative provocateur.

In 2014, Stockman challenged incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary. Cornyn was seen by some conservatives as insufficiently conservative, but Stockman ran an erratic campaign and lost overwhelmingly, receiving only about 19% of the vote.

Criminal Investigation and Conviction

The Fraud Scheme

Federal prosecutors alleged that Stockman misused approximately $1.25 million in funds from conservative donors. The money was supposed to support organizations like the Life Without Limits Foundation and other conservative causes, but Stockman diverted it to personal expenses and political activities.

The misused funds paid for personal items including:

• Hot air balloon rides
• Kennel bills
• A new dishwasher
• Other personal expenses

Prosecutors also alleged that Stockman used some of the money to plant an undercover intern in the state House office of a political rival to gather intelligence.

Indictment and Trial

Stockman was indicted on federal charges in 2017. At trial in 2018, prosecutors presented evidence that Stockman had created a complex scheme to divert charitable donations through shell organizations and personal accounts.

Conviction

In April 2018, a federal jury in Houston convicted Stockman on 23 felony counts, including fraud, money laundering, and making false statements.

Sentencing

Stockman was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison—one of the longest sentences ever given to a former member of Congress. He was also ordered to pay more than $1 million in restitution to the defrauded donors.

He served his sentence at the low-security Federal Correctional Institution in Beaumont, Texas.

Clemency

COVID-19 Concerns

While imprisoned, Stockman contracted COVID-19. His supporters argued that his underlying health conditions made continued incarceration dangerous during the pandemic. Stockman was 64 years old and had health issues that placed him at heightened risk from the virus.

Commutation (Not Pardon)

On December 22, 2020, President Trump commuted Steve Stockman's remaining prison sentence. Importantly, Trump granted a commutation rather than a full pardon.

The White House statement noted: "This is not a pardon. The president recognizes that our prosecution was appropriate and Steve Stockman remains a convicted felon, who was held responsible for his numerous fraud and theft charges by a jury of his peers."

The commutation released Stockman from prison after approximately two years of incarceration, with the following conditions:

• He remained a convicted felon
• He was placed on supervised release
• He was still required to pay more than $1 million in restitution

The commutation was announced alongside pardons for two other former Republican congressmen convicted of crimes: Chris Collins of New York and Duncan Hunter of California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did Steve Stockman do?

Steve Stockman was convicted of 23 felony counts including fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy. He misused approximately $1.25 million in charitable donations intended for conservative causes, using the money instead for personal expenses like hot air balloon rides, kennel bills, and a dishwasher. He also used funds to plant an undercover intern in a political rival's office.

Q: Was Steve Stockman pardoned?

Stockman received a commutation, not a full pardon. On December 22, 2020, President Trump commuted his remaining sentence, releasing him from prison after about two years of a 10-year sentence. The commutation left his conviction intact—he remains a convicted felon and was still required to pay over $1 million in restitution and complete supervised release.

Q: How long was Steve Stockman's prison sentence?

Stockman was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in 2018 and ordered to pay $1 million in restitution. He served his sentence at FCI Beaumont Low in Texas. After approximately two years, his sentence was commuted by President Trump on December 22, 2020, and he was released from custody.

Q: What was Steve Stockman's political career?

Stockman served two non-consecutive terms in Congress. He first represented Texas's 9th District from 1995 to 1997 after defeating 42-year incumbent Jack Brooks. He returned to Congress representing the 36th District from 2013 to 2015. He challenged Senator John Cornyn in the 2014 Republican primary but lost badly.

Q: Did Steve Stockman have health issues in prison?

Yes. Stockman had underlying health conditions that placed him at heightened risk during COVID-19. He contracted the coronavirus while imprisoned at the Beaumont facility. These health concerns were cited as factors supporting his clemency request. He was 64 years old at the time of his commutation.

See also

• Money Laundering
• Presidential Clemency and Pardons
• Chris Collins
• Duncan Hunter