A Harris County judge has been indicted on allegations of wire fraud.
Judge Alexandra Smoots-Thomas has jurisdiction over Texas civil cases in Harris County.
The judge is accused of embezzling campaign contributions individuals and political action committees had made to her re-election campaigns. According to the seven count indictment, she is accused of soliciting campaign contributions for 2012 and 2016, but then using that money for non-campaign expenses, including home mortgage payments, private school tuition, personal travel expenses, personal luxury items and cash withdrawals.
Each count carries a federal jail sentence of up to 20 years and $250 thousand dollar fine.
The indictment was handed down on October 24th.