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Former Aide Testifies Stockman Misspent Funds

Thomas Dodd pleaded guilty last year to his part in misusing charitable donations

A onetime aide to former Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Texas, testified about Stockman’s use of charitable donations. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)
A onetime aide to former Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Texas, testified about Stockman’s use of charitable donations. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

A onetime aide to former Texas Republican Rep. Steve Stockman testified against him in Stockman’s federal fraud trial on Thursday.

Thomas Dodd pleaded guilty last year, saying he and another staffer colluded to siphon money from the Ed Uihlein Family Foundation.

Stockman is on trial for allegedly using $1.25 million meant for charitable causes for personal and campaign expenses.

Dodd testified that he helped broker fundraising requests.

He said he attended meetings with a now-deceased Baltimore money manager, Stanford Z. Rothschild, during which Stockman solicited money to fund conservative tabloid mailings.

But Dodd said within days of the donations being cleared, Stockman used the money to pay credit card bills.

During his testimony, Dodd explained he was testifying in hopes of leniency in his sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Annis asked Dodd if the money was for voter education purposes in the 2010 midterm elections.

“In your presence did Mr. Stockman assure Mr. Rothschild that the money would be used in that way,” she asked, to which Dodd responded affirmatively.

Dodd also said within days of depositing the check, Stockman used the money to pay for Dodd’s credit card bill, expenses for parking, cellphone bill and other expenses.

Stockman served two nonconsecutive terms in the House, from 1995 to 1997 and from 2013 to 2015.

He left the House after losing the 2014 Republican primary to Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn.

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