# Steve Stockman **Stephen Ernest Stockman** is a former Republican U.S. Representative from Texas who served two non-consecutive single terms (TX-09, 1995–1997; TX-36, 2013–2015). Not to be confused with **David Stockman**, Reagan's OMB director. Between May 2010 and October 2014 Stockman solicited roughly **$1.25 million** from conservative philanthropists — including Richard Uihlein — on the false premise that the money would fund charitable and educational nonprofits. He instead diverted it to personal expenses, illegal conduit contributions to his own campaigns, and covert surveillance of political opponents, running a sham "Freedom House" operation in Washington that housed interns. He laundered the proceeds and filed a false federal tax return. A jury convicted him on **23 of 24 felony counts** on April 12, 2018, including mail and wire fraud, money laundering, and false statements to the FEC. He was sentenced to **120 months** and **$1,014,718.51** in restitution. [[Donald Trump]] **commuted the prison term** on December 22, 2020 — leaving supervised release and the restitution obligation in force. See [[Republican Officeholder Fraud]]. > [!note] Stub — fill out > Needs: the donor-network detail (Uihlein, Rothschild); the Freedom House surveillance operation; his 2014 Senate primary challenge to John Cornyn; his announced 2026 TX-09 candidacy (announced 2025-12-08, ballot status unverified).