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Martha Shoffner Says Finances 'Exhausted,' Asks For Legal Help

Martha Shoffner
Brian Chilson
/
Arkansas Times

Former Arkansas treasurer Martha Shoffner is asking a federal judge to declare her unable to pay for legal representation and to appoint counsel for her.

Shoffner was convicted this month on 14 bribery and extortion counts. She has another 10 fraud charges pending for allegedly spending campaign cash on personal items.

On Tuesday, she signed documents saying she has "exhausted her financial resources" and asked that attorney Grant Ballard be appointed to represent her. Ballard served as co-counsel in Shoffner's trial with Chuck Banks, who said in the document he'd continue to represent Shoffner.

If the motion is granted, the government will pay for Shoffner's defense. She can be sentenced to up to 20 years on her convictions, but the sentencing hearing will be after the pending charges are resolved.

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