Former congressman charged with fraud, money laundering

Former Rep. TJ Cox (D-Calif.) has been indicted on 28 counts related to financial and campaign contribution fraud, according to court documents unsealed Tuesday. 

The one-term congressman 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,” according to a release from the Justice Department.

Public sheriff’s office records show Cox was arrested by the FBI in his hometown of Fresno, Calif., on Tuesday.

Cox was released from jail later that day after pleading not guilty, he told reporters after his release.

“I tell you what, politics is a tough game. I wouldn’t be in this position today but for the politics, and I think we all know that,” Cox said, according to video shared on Twitter by FOX26 News.

The 59-year-old is accused of perpetrating fraud schemes and creating “unauthorized off-the-books bank accounts,” according to the Justice Department. Cox then “diverted client and company money into those accounts through false representations, pretenses and promises,” for his own use, illicitly obtaining more than $1.7 million.