Three El Paso judges have been indicted by the State of Texas for violating state nepotism laws.
The charges all three judges are facing are Class C Misdemeanors punishable by up to a 1000 dollar fine.
It doesn't sound like a very serious charge but in fact, it is.
Seana Willing, the Executive Director of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct says these charges are very serious.
Under Chapter 573 of the Texas Government Code are listed as official misconduct, which upon conviction, carries a penalty of automatic removal from the bench.
Furthermore, because these are charges of official misconduct, Willing tells Newschannel 9 that even before a conviction, the Judical Commission can remove each of these judges from the bench while the investigations take place.
Here are the official charges two judges are facing:
Judge Manuel Barraza: Prohibition Applicable to Trading
Judge Regina Arditti: Prohibition Appicable to Trading
The Texas Government Code
ยง 573.044. PROHIBITION APPLICABLE TO TRADING.
A public official may not appoint, confirm the appointment of, or vote for the appointment or confirmation of the appointment of an individual to a position in which the individual's services are under the public official's direction or control and that is to be compensated directly or indirectly from public funds or fees of office if:
(1) the individual is related to another public official within a degree described by Section 573.002;
and (2) the appointment, confirmation of the appointment, or vote for appointment or confirmation of the appointment would be carried out in whole or partial consideration for the other public official appointing, confirming the appointment, or voting for the appointment or confirmation of the appointment of an individual who is related to the first public official within a degree described by
Section 573.002.
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