Texas Watch—Consumer Protection. Corporate Accountability. Citizen Advocacy.

Complaints were filed this morning against Texas Supreme Court Justices Nathan Hecht and David Medina with the Texas Ethics Commission by the citizens group Texas Watch. The complaints allege that the justices used political contributions to pay for personal travel.

Despite the fact that he owns a home in Carrollton and that he isn’t facing re-election until 2012, Hecht claims to be campaigning. Hecht has refused to produce documents to support his claim that the travel expenses were for legitimate purposes. He told the Associated Press that he thinks “this is a waste of time.”[1]

“Justice Hecht hasn’t provided the public with enough information to determine whether he is toeing the line or crossing it,” said Alex Winslow, Executive Director of Texas Watch. “In the interest of full public disclosure, we are compelled to file a complaint. Texans deserve to know the truth, and judges on our state’s highest court must be held to the highest possible standard.”

Winslow added: “Ultimately, the authorities are going to have to investigate to determine whether or not Justice Hecht is once again improperly using campaign contributions from entities with business before the Texas Supreme Court for his own personal use.”

Through his attorney, Justice Medina has admitted that he paid himself mileage expenses for commuting to his home in Houston and has pledged to repay the $57,000 he improperly collected from his campaign.

Earlier this week, Texas Watch filed a complaint against Justice Paul Green for violating the same statutory prohibition on converting political funds to personal use by paying for commuting expenses. Texas Watch has also notified the Public Integrity Unit of the Travis County District Attorney’s office of the complaints the group filed today.

“With numerous criminal investigations, ethical lapses, and questions about the Court’s integrity and ability to be impartial, the entire Texas Supreme Court is under a cloud of scandal,” said Winslow.

In addition to the current ethics inquiries plaguing the Texas Supreme Court, Medina and Hecht are embroiled in criminal investigations:

• Justice David Medina has been indicted for his alleged involvement in a house fire that destroyed his Houston-area home last summer.[2] Just one day after the grand jury handed down the indictment, the Harris County District Attorney threw it out, raising questions about political motives on the part of the DA.[3]

• Justice Nathan Hecht is still facing a criminal investigation by the Public Integrity Unit for improperly accepting a $100,000 discount on legal expenses arising out of his appeal of State Judicial Conduct admonishment in 2005. Hecht also faces ethics and judicial conduct complaints in the matter.[4]

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[1] April Castro, High court justice used campaign funds to commute, Associated Press, January 23, 2008.
[2] Brian Rogers, Texas Supreme Court justice, wife indicted, Houston Chronicle, January 18, 2008.
[3] Lisa Falkenberg, Rosenthal shouldn’t obstruct grand jury, Houston Chronicle, January 18, 2008.
[4] Claire Osborn, Group: Hecht’s legal bill discount is illegal, Austin American-Statesman, July 25, 2007.