Wife of imprisoned former congressman cites COVID-19 risk in plea to Trump for husband’s freedom

Pattie Stockman, wife of former Rep. Steve Stockman (R-Texas), asked President Trump to pardon him amid the coronavirus pandemic so his 10-year sentence for fraud and other white-collar crimes  “does not become a death penalty.”    

Stockman, a conservative firebrand, was convicted in April 2018 of 23 felonies for allegedly misusing $1.25 million in campaign funds for personal expenses. The 63-year-old is serving his sentence in a federal prison in Beaumont, Texas. 

“My pleas are reasonable. Keeping an aging, physically vulnerable, non-violent, non-sex crime convicted inmate in prison during a pandemic is cruel. My husband is not a danger to society. At a minimum, I want Steve to shelter at home so that he’s not sent to me in a body bag in a few weeks,” Patti Stockman said.

Concerns over the spread of coronavirus in prisons have grown in recent weeks, though mostly from the left-leaning advocacy groups as well as Democratic lawmakers and leaders.

Patti Stockman is not seeking a temporary release of prisoners, but a pardon for her husband specifically. 

More than 50 conservative leaders, including several former members of Congress, also sent a letter to Trump urging for Stockman’s “humanitarian release.”

“Steve Stockman poses no danger to society, but remaining in prison may be a death sentence for him,” the letter states, calling him a “perfect example of a prisoner who fits the criteria of who should be removed from prison” during the pandemic.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced last month that the state planned to release 3,500 nonviolent offenders over concerns of a coronavirus outbreak in prisons. The state’s correctional agency also announced that it would temporarily slow intake into county jails. 

Trump has pardoned at least 25 people since the start of the administration, according to the Department of Justice.