Former Texas Republican Rep. Steve Stockman, who invited rocker Ted Nugent to President Barack Obama's 2013 State of the Union address, is accused of spending money meant for charity on himself and his campaign.
Stockman, who served two stints in the U.S. House, is charged with conspiracy to make conduit contributions and making false statements.
The Houston Chronicle reports that at a hearing Friday, Stockman blamed his arrest on the existence of a "deep state" shadow government -- a theory that has taken hold among some conservatives that there is a shadowy network of powerful entrenched federal and military interests working to undermine President Donald Trump.
Authorities allege that shortly after starting his second House term in 2013, Stockman solicited $350,000 from a wealthy businessman to go to a Nevada-based charity and then put the money into an account Stockman had opened.