This is Martha Shoffner’s last week of freedom.
The former state treasurer, convicted in March 2014 of six counts of extortion, one count of attempted extortion and seven counts of bribery, is scheduled to begin her 30-month sentence in federal prison next Monday.
U.S. District Judge Leon Holmes recommended that she be imprisoned at Carswell, the federal correctional institute near Fort Worth that has the extensive medical facilities that might be needed by a prisoner who is starting her sentence at age 71.
Chuck Banks, the Little Rock attorney who defended Shoffner, confirmed last week that Shoffner plans to report as ordered and will not seek any delay.
Unlike the state justice system, there is no parole in the federal system, although inmates can be released a few months early for good behavior.
