Harris County Judge Accused Of Embezzling Campaign Funds: DOJ

Harris County Judge Alexandra Smoots-Thomas, the presiding judge for the 164th District Court for Texas who has jurisdiction over civil cases in the county, has been indicted on allegations of wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas.

Smoots-Thomas, 44, of Houston, is accused of embezzling campaign contributions made to her re-election campaign, federal officials said. The indictment says Smoots-Thomas repeatedly solicited campaign contributions on the premise the money would be used towards her re-election campaigns in 2012 and 2016.

Officials said Smoots-Thomas is accused of using the money to pay her mortgage, for private school tuition and for person travel. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the judge concealed the spending from her campaign treasurer as well as from the Texas Ethics Commission by filing false campaign finance reports.

Each count of wire fraud carries a sentence of up to 20 years as well as a maximum fine of $250,000.

"The defendant in this case is a judge, whose responsibilities are to make sure the law is followed and carried out," Perrye K. Turner, an FBI agent who worked on the case, said in a statement. "She was entrusted to serve the citizens of Harris County with duty and honor. However, the allegations contained in today’s indictment show that the judge put personal enrichment over this duty and honor."