Martha Shoffner

Martha Shoffner is the former state treasurer of Arkansas. A Democrat, she was first elected in 2006,[2] taking office in January 2007. She was re-elected in 2010.[3][4]

Martha Shoffner
Arkansas State Treasurer
In office
January 9, 2007 – May 21, 2013[1]
GovernorMike Bebee
Preceded byGus Wingfield
Succeeded byCharles Robinson
Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
from the 79th district
In office
1997–2003
Personal details
Born1944 or 1945 (age 78–79)[1]
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)Jackson County, Arkansas, U.S.
Alma materMemphis State University Arkansas State University
ProfessionReal estate

History

Shoffner was born and raised in Jackson County.[2] Born to a farmer and a school teacher, she graduated from Newport High School and attended Memphis State University and Arkansas State University. She started working in advertising[2] and is also a licensed real estate agent.

Career

Shoffner was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives in 1996.[5]

After being term limited, she was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for the state auditor.[6] In 2005, Shoffner announced her candidacy for State Treasurer on the steps of the Jackson County Courthouse. After being outspent almost 3-to-1 Shoffner was elected to the office in 2006.[2]

Arrest

On May 18, 2013, the FBI arrested Shoffner on a charge of extortion.[7] Following her release on bail, Shoffner resigned as Arkansas State Treasurer on May 21, 2013.[1]

She was subsequently indicted on June 5, 2013, by a Federal Grand Jury on six counts of extortion under color of official right, one count of attempted extortion under color of official right, and seven counts of receipt of a bribe by an agent of a state government receiving federal funds.[8] She was convicted of all counts on March 11, 2014, by a jury of seven women and five men.[9] On August 28, 2015, she was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in federal prison.[10]

References
  1. DeMillo, Andrew (May 21, 2013). "Arkansas Treasurer Marth Shoffner Resigns Amid Charges She Took Cash". Arkansas Business. Associated Press. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  2. "Meet Treasurer Shoffner". Arkansas State Treasury. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  3. "Election changes Arkansas' political landscape". Arkansas News. Archived from the original on November 20, 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  4. "Gov. Mike Beebe wins re-election". Paragould Daily Press. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  5. "Representative Martha Shoffner (Representative)". Arkansas State Legislature. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  6. "Treasurer Martha Shoffner is holding onto the state's purse strings while bringing Arkansas art into her office. She still cherishes her family ties around Newport". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  7. "State Treasurer Martha Shoffner Arrested for Extortion by FBI". Arkansas Business. May 18, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  8. "Former Arkansas State Treasurer Martha Ann Shoffner Indicted On Federal Charges Of Extortion And Receipt Of Bribes". www.justice.gov. 2015-07-14. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
  9. "Jury finds former state treasurer guilty of extortion, bribery". Arkansas News. March 11, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  10. Lauer, Claudia (2015-08-28). "Ex-Arkansas treasurer gets 2 ½ years in prison". AP News. Retrieved 2019-12-30.


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