The plea deal for former Congressman TJ Cox of Fresno includes a possible prison sentence and up to $3.5 million in restitution. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)
- A plea deal shows former U.S. Congressman TJ Cox could pay up to $3.5 million to make victims whole, in addition to any prison sentence.
- Sentencing will take place in about five months, according to Cox's lawyer.
- Cox and his wife are in Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings.
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A plea deal for former Congressman and local businessman TJ Cox shows he will have to pay to make his victims whole, even as he and his wife work through bankruptcy court.
The deal reduces Cox’s charges from 28 to two — one for wire fraud and another for wire fraud affecting a financial institution.
In addition, Cox would have to pay up to $3.5 million restitution, which is the amount investors lost from those crimes.
The maximum sentence for wire fraud is 20 years and a $250,000 fine. The maximum sentence for wire fraud affecting a financial institution is 30 years and a $1 million fine.
The plea deal, which was obtained by GV Wire, allows Cox to ask for probation as his sentence hearing.
Additionally, the agreement allows Cox not to pay more than the $3.5 million restitution if he can prove he can’t afford any fines.
Cox’s attorney, Mark Coleman, said he expects a sentencing hearing in about five months.
A court hearing to review the plea deal is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2025.
Related Story: Former Fresno Congressman Pleads Guilty to Two Fraud Counts
Crime Details
The wire fraud count comes from Cox’s time running Fresno NMTC, which helped organizations apply for new market tax credits. Cox opened a bank account for this company in 2013 without the other owners knowing about it, the plea deal states.
Cox used that account to divert money from Fresno NMTC to pay for personal expenses, business ventures, and debts.
Cox also defrauded investors in his almond processing company, according to the plea deal.
The wire fraud affecting a financial institution charge comes from a fraudulent construction loan for Granite Park.
To guarantee the $1.5 million loan from Clearinghouse CDFI, Cox used Fresno NMTC as collateral, without approval of his business partners, according to the plea deal.
Government Can Go After Assets: Bankruptcy
An October bankruptcy filing with the Eastern District Court of California shows Cox as owing $2.5 million and having $765,386 in assets.
That debt includes nearly $1.5 million in business debt and $31,000 in attorney fees, according to the filing.
Assets for Cox and his wife include a home and three vehicles.
The plea deal allows for the U.S. government to go after Cox’s assets. The deal requires that restitution be paid when Cox is sentenced.
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