Texas Rep. Joe Driver to Get Five Years Probation
A humbled Rep. Joe Driver, the Garland Republican who illegally pocketed state travel money, pleaded guilty to felony abuse-of-office charges Tuesday and agreed to five years' probation.
As part of his plea agreement, Driver will get five years deferred adjudication, avoiding jail time as long as he doesn't violate the terms of his probation. After spending about an hour at the Travis County Courthouse waiting to enter his plea, Driver made a brief statement to reporters.
“Basically, my family and I are thankful that this has been resolved,” Driver said. The longtime lawmaker’s attorney, Dan Guthrie, said Driver ...
Comments (11)
Bonnie McGuire
How could he NOT know that double billing and keeping the extra money wasn't appropriate? Any 5 year old child knows taking money that doesn't belong to you is wrong. And if he really didn't know, that means every other representative is doing it too! This is probably the reason Perry has fixed it that HIS travel expenses can't be seen until late next year!
This is a really sad state of affairs when elected officials pocket stolen tax dollars while cutting the budgets for schools and social programs that benefit Texans.
Paul Theobald
A Question- Why did Rep. Driver reimburse his campaign, and not the State of Texas? I do not know if it is campaign finance laws or what, but it would seem more fitting for the funds to come out of his campaign money, since he will not be needing it again, and to reimburse the State. It definitely seems like the right thing to do, especially in light of the fiscal situation of the State. If it is not the legal thing to do (i.e. reimburse State before campaign), that should be visited by our Legislators.
Rhonda Love via Texas Tribune on Facebook
and people who steal bread get jail time....
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
A good catch (and good old Joe Strauss Bailed him out with support last election cycle while this was ongoing). And there are more of these, but one has to wonder; it the DA being as thorough on the other side of the aisle as well?
Bonnie McGuire
Great question Paul!
Eddie Nimibutr via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Humbled? If he didn't get caught, this guy would continue to pocket money, yeah right, humbled legislator my ass.
Gritsforbreakfast
What are the terms of his probation? Is there a curfew? Drug testing? Any community service? Inquiring minds want to know ...
Jerry L Doyle Sr. via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Excuse ME, He didn't know that double dipping was wrong, Give me (excuse me) the public a break. DAAAA.
Jerry L Doyle Sr. via Texas Tribune on Facebook
You are right Eddie, it would still be happening "if" he hadn't got caught. boo hoo hoo. That's is family whinning. Where the hell did he get the $63,000 plus to pay back ??
erik geurin
Texas law says a felon can't hold public office. Joe Driver plead guilty to a felony and will be sentenced in December to deferred adjudication. He says he is going to retire when his term is up in 2013. He needs to be removed the second the sentence is imposed. A deferred adjudication sentence doesn't make him free of a felony conviction until he has completed his probation. When he is sentenced, he is a felon and can't hold public office in Texas according to the constitution. Who does he think he is to tell us he will stay until 2013 after he stole thousands from the state of Texas. He needs to go immediately!
Craig Mellor
I am a Republican and a Conservative.........but still, why is this shyster not in jail! What a joke this makes of the whold political system.....good old boys win out again. He is dishonest and does not deserve to serve out his term much less being set free!!