TJ Cox Pleads Guilty, Agrees to Restitution

Former U.S. Congressman TJ Cox of California has agreed to plead guilty to two fraud counts, with a plea deal that requires him to pay $3.5 million in restitution. This agreement dismisses 24 of the 26 charges he faced since his 2022 indictment, which included wire fraud, money laundering, and campaign contribution fraud. Cox was accused of diverting over $1.7 million through fraudulent activities involving client payments and company loans, as well as securing a $1.5 million loan under false pretenses for a Fresno sports complex. The plea deal, which avoids a trial, leaves Cox facing a sentence ranging from probation to a maximum of 20 years in prison. His attorney, Mark Coleman, stated that Cox wanted to avoid the stress of a trial for him and his family, with a formal plea change scheduled for January. The plea agreement marks a significant development in Cox's case, highlighting the complex nature of his business activities and the legal consequences he now faces.