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Texas Judge Ben Hardin; moron, serial scofflaw, ethically indigent

Judge Ben Hardin is one big-time serial scofflaw and certified ethical gnome.
 
Texas Election Laws allow for an elected official to use campaign funds to lease and/or rent a vehicle for the sole purpose of engaging in official government/court business. As you’ll see below, it would be absurd for Judge Ben Hardin to argue that his use of a BMW over the past ten (10) years was dedicated solely to official stat business. In fact, such a claim by Judge Ben Hardin wouldn’t pass the involuntary laugh test.
 
Beginning in 2000, Judge Ben Hardin believed his was entitled to hose his contributors to pay for the costs of a BMW for his personal use. In addition, Judge Ben Hardin also hosed his contributors for lease payments on a Ford F-150 pickup truck in 2007.
 
From 2000 through June 2009 the lease costs for Judge Ben Hardin’s BMW were:
  • $5,968 – Jan – June 2009 
  • $6,966 – 2008
  • $5,000 – 2007 + $2,500 for Ford F-150
  • $5,400 – 2006
  • $9,000 – 2005
  • $12,087 – 2004
  • $5,200 – 2003
  • $7,300 – 2002
  • $61,100 – 2001
  • $7,859 – 2000
  • $70,880 = total BMW lease costs
Maintenance costs for Judge Ben Hardin’s BMW
 
From 2000 through June 2009, Judge Ben Hardin paid $26,302 for maintenance on his BMW with campaign funds. The yearly amounts spent by Judge Ben Hardin are as follows:
  • 2009 = $199 
  • 2008 = $1,421
  • 2007 = $2,795
  • 2006 = $3,084
  • 2004 = $4,651
  • 2003 = $5,966
  • 2002 = $2,007
  • 2001 = $4,421
  • 2000 = $1,658
Insurance costs for Judge Ben Hardin’s BMW
 
Judge Ben Hardin’s annual insurance premium on his BMW for 2008 was $2,236.10. For the year 2009, Judge Ben Hardin has paid $1,904.00 for auto insurance. The premiums paid by Judge Ben Hardin to Progressive Insurance are listed below.
  1. Progressive Insurance, 20090211, 1904.00, Auto Insurance
  2. Progressive Insurance, 20080321, 1725.00, Auto Insurance
  3. Progressive Insurance, 20080711, 275.91, Auto Insurance
  4. Progressive Insurance, 20080812, 235.19, Auto Insurance 
Either Judge Ben Hardin is a high-risk driver (traffic scofflaw or DUI convictions) or he is insuring more than one vehicle.
 
Conclusion
 
This ol’ Dawg has reviewed hundreds of campaign expense reports of Texas judges, including those at the trial court level; appeals court judges, and Supreme Court justices. I’m here to tell ya that Judge Ben Hardin is the only, and I mean only judge in Texas that I’ve found that has hosed his contributors for any car, yet along a BMW.
 
It cannot be disputed that Judge Ben Hardin has been engaged in serial violations of the Texas Elections laws.
 
And lastly, do you really think that Judge Ben "The Moron" Hardin actually advised his contributors that he intended on spending over 65% of their contributions on the cost to provide himself with a luxury BMW? Nah, I don't think so!