Martha Shoffner
| Martha Shoffner | |
|---|---|
| Arkansas State Treasurer | |
| In office January 9, 2007 – May 21, 2013[1] | |
| Governor | Mike Bebee |
| Preceded by | Gus Wingfield |
| Succeeded by | Charles Robinson |
| Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from District 79 | |
| In office 1997–2003 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1944/1945 (age 69–70)[1] |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Jackson County, Arkansas |
| Alma mater | Memphis State University |
| Profession | Real Estate |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
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]
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
She 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]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 DeMillo, Andrew (May 21, 2013). "Arkansas Treasurer Marth Shoffner Resigns Amid Charges She Took Cash". Arkansas Business. Associated Press. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Meet Treasurer Shoffner". Arkansas State Treasury. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
- ↑ "Election changes Arkansas’ political landscape". Arkansas News. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
- ↑ "Gov. Mike Beebe wins re-election". Paragould Daily Press. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
- ↑ "Representative Martha Shoffner (Representative)". Arkansas State Legislature. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "State Treasurer Martha Shoffner Arrested for Extortion by FBI". Arkansas Business. May 18, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ FORMER ARKANSAS STATE TREASURER MARTHA ANN SHOFFNER INDICTED ON FEDERAL CHARGES OF EXTORTION AND RECEIPT OF BRIBES (U.S. Departmentt of Justice Press Release June 5, 2013)
- ↑ "Jury finds former state treasurer guilty of extortion, bribery - See more at: http://arkansasnews.com/news/arkansas/jury-finds-former-state-treasurer-guilty-extortion-bribery#sthash.VVi9a1up.dpuf". Arkansas News. March 11, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2014.