Former Texas rep Steve Stockman facing conspiracy charge

Former Texas Rep. Steve Stockman (R) is accused of conspiring to violate federal election law, KPRC Click2Houston reported on Thursday.

Stockman, who served two terms in Congress and often courted controversy, was brought to court on Thursday.

According to the news source, the prosecutors allege that the former lawmaker conspired with several former employees to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars for his own use during his second term in office.

The wrongdoing allegedly happened in 2011 after Stockman created a nonprofit organization called Life Without Limits.

Following a large $350,000 donation, the former Texas congressman allegedly planned to funnel that money to himself by using donations from his employees.

During a preliminary exchange with Stockman, Judge Stephen Smith reportedly said that “these are serious charges.”