A former congressmember facing federal fraud charges filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

TJ Cox, along with his wife Kathleen Murphy, filed for bankruptcy in the Fresno federal court on Friday, Oct. 11. Cox served one term in Congress from 2019 through 2021.

Cox also faces 28 counts of fraud. First charged in 2022, he is considering asking for a trial. He returns to court on that matter on Dec. 11.

Court filings show Cox and Murphy listed $766,385 in assets and $2.5 million in liabilities. They reported a combined monthly take-home income of $16,770. Murphy is a physician with Valley Children’s Specialty Medical Group; Cox works as a development officer for Huron-based The LEAP Institute.

Among the assets: a home valued at $742,206, three vehicles needing repairs, and household goods. The couple also listed several businesses they either fully or partially own.

Creditors include the mortgage lender for the home, credit card and business debt, and the IRS.

He owes his criminal defense attorney Mark Coleman $30,548.

Cox and Murphy will also be required to take a financial management course.

Nerdwallet calls Chapter 7 “the fastest and most common form of bankruptcy.”

Related Story: Former Congressman TJ Cox Wants a Trial. Will Feds Revoke Plea Offer?

Judge Sides with City in Fundraising Injunction Ruling

A group suing the city of Fresno about when candidates can raise funds lost its first court decision on Thursday. Judge Robert Whalen denied a request by Fresnans Interested in Fair Elections for a preliminary injunction.

FIFE argues that candidates for city office — city council and mayor — only have a limited time window to raise funds for the election as stated in the City Charter. Since 2018, the city has not enforced the provision, citing federal case law deeming any time limits unconstitutional.

The issue still moves forward with the initial lawsuit. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 30.

Fresno Lawyers Busted By Campaign Finance Watchdog

The Fair Political Practices Commission fined a group of Fresno lawyers for not filing several fundraising documents.

The Fresno County Prosecutors Association PAC will pay a fine of $2,177.

FPPC alleged that the group failed to file 10 forms between 2019 and 2024.

David Devencenzi, listed as the group’s principal officer, offered no comment and hung up on Politics 101. He works in the Fresno County District Attorney’s office as senior deputy district attorney in the sexual assault and child abuse unit.