A former congressmember will serve one year and one day in federal prison, a judge ruled Monday.

Terrence John “TJ” Cox, a Fresno Democrat who served one term in Congress, pleaded guilty in February to one count of wire fraud and one count of wire fraud affecting a financial institution.

He was arrested in 2022 and initially faced 28 criminal counts. Prosecutors said Cox engaged in various schemes involving fraud and embezzlement tied to several businesses he owned.

“I am blessed with my family, my community, my support. I am truly blessed,” Cox said as he entered the courthouse.

Cox, along with his wife, Dr. Kathleen Murphy and attorney, Mark Coleman, learned his fate from Judge Dale A. Drozd at the Robert E. Coyle United States Courthouse in downtown Fresno.

Other supporters, such as business partner Terance Frazier, and workers at LEAP, the current nonprofit where Cox works, attended.

The government had requested 41 months in prison in presentencing briefs. Cox requested one year of home confinement, followed by probation. The hearing, originally scheduled for 10 a.m., was pushed back until 1 p.m. then 2 p.m. and beyond because of a busy court calendar.

Waiting in the hallway, Cox seemed relaxed, chatting with family and friends.

Related Story: Prosecutors Say TJ Cox Put Himself First as Sentencing Nears

Businessman, Politician Falls From Grace

Cox defeated David Valadao in 2018 by fewer than 900 votes, part of an anti-Donald Trump “blue wave” during the president’s first term in office. He lost a rematch in 2020.

He also unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2006.

Court papers revealed the FBI began investigating Cox in 2018 after a City of Fresno audit of the nonprofit Central Valley Community Sports Foundation uncovered unusual loans. Cox partnered with Fresno developer and philanthropist Terance Frazier in the organization.

The FBI found several instances in which Cox loaned or transferred money from one of his companies to another, often into an “off-the-books” account. Cox misled investors in an almond processing plant he owned. He also lied about receiving permission from his business partners to secure a loan for the nonprofit.

Prosecutors also said Cox violated federal campaign finance laws, allegedly laundering money through family members into his campaign account.

Cox claimed in court documents that while he committed some fraud, he did not personally benefit and that no company or individual lost money. He said his actions were intended to help struggling companies that benefited the community.