Dem ex-rep. in scam bust

A former Democratic congressman from California whose companies scored federal loans amid the COVID-19 pandemic was busted Tuesday in a series of scams, including one that helped fund his 2018 winning run for office.

Terrance John “T.J.” Cox, 59, of Fresno, was charged in a 28-count indictment with siphoning off more than $1.7 million from an almond-processing company he co-owned and fraudulently obtaining a $1.5 million development loan, according to the Sacramento US Attorney’s Office.

Cox also is accused of arranging for friends and family members to make more than $25,000 in crooked contributions to his 2018 campaign.

Cox allegedly provided the money to reimbursed the “straw” donors. He was booked into the Fresno jail following his arrest by the FBI, according to online records.