Former Congressman From Texas Jailed Amid Allegations Of Campaign Cash Misuse

AUSTIN, TX — Disgraced former congressman Steve Stockman on Friday blamed his arrest on federal charges related to campaign cash on a "deep state" shadow government run by fellow right-wingers for the federal charges against him for conspiring to divert charitable contributions illegally to campaign coffers and for personal use.

He's also charged with making false statements in reporting contributions in trying to hide cash sources, the Houston Chronicle reported. Once a darling of the Tea Party, Stockman served two non-consecutive terms in Congress from 1995-97 and 2013-15.

He's best known for inviting a rodeo clown wearing a mask of Barack Obama to events, for having walked out of the former president's State of the Union address and for inviting right-wing rock musician Ted Nugent as a guest to another Obama State of the Union speech.

Prosecutors allege Stockman created a non-profit in Las Vegas dubbed "Life Without Limits" in 2011 to funnel thousands of dollars worth of campaign donations for personal use. In his second term, one donation totaled $350,000. That donation by a wealthy contributor was ostensibly made toward renovation work on the Freedom House in Washington, D.C. but instead wound up deposited int a Webster bank account Stockman had set up, according to the Houston Chronicle.

"It is a crime to make a campaign contribution by one person in the name of another, and to make a false statement to the Federal Elections Commission," read a sworn statement by FBI Agent Vanessa Walther, that was unsealed in federal court in Houston Friday, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Stockman was jailed on Thursday before being released on Friday and directed by a judge to find an attorney by 2 p.m.

Wikipedia has already caught up with Stockman's newly acquired status: "Stephen Ernest "Steve" Stockman (born November 14, 1956) is an American politician, a criminal, and a member of the Republican Party who was the United States Representative for Texas's 36th congressional district."

The new district was created in the wake of the 2010 census, and Stockman emerged as the first candidate to run in his quest to represent the area. He won the general election but then announced he wouldn't seek re-election in 2014 so he could challenge longtime incumbent John Cornyn in the senatorial seat. He lost, and was succeeded in the U.S. House by Brian Babin.

The 36th district is located in southeast Texas and includes the counties of Newton, Jasper, Tyler, Polk, Orange, Hardin, Liberty and Chambers in addition to portions of southeast Harris County encompassing the Johnson Space Center.

>>> Official photo of Steve Stockman via U.S. Congress