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Judge Ken Wise of Houston; scofflaw, moron, ethically destitute

 

Ex-Judge Ken Wise previously sat on the 152nd District Court in Houston. Judge Ken Wise now works as an attorney at Fridge Resendez & Wise in Houston.

 
Texas Ethics Laws limits the expenditure of campaigns funds to legitimate campaign activities and/or official officeholder duties.
 
Judge Ken Wise unlawfully converted campaign funds to personal use by paying subscription costs for the Wall Street Journal as set forth below, and did so despite the fact that the Texas Ethics Commission ruled years ago that this conduct was unlawful. Well, I suppose we should expect Judge Ken Wise to be wise (pun intended) on what the law is, right? 
  • The Wall Street Journal, 20061218, 99.00, Administrative: Dues & Subscriptions 
  • The Wall Street Journal, 20061219, 99.00, Administrative: Dues & Subscriptions
Judge Adolph Canales decision from Texas Ethics Commission (ca. 2009)
 
“The reading of the Wall Street Journal is not necessary to maintaining a law license or fulfilling legal education requirements. In addition, there is no evidence provided by the respondent that the access to the Wall Street Journal primarily furthers the respondent’s duties or activities as an officeholder. Rather, it appears that the subscription primarily furthers personal purposes and is not connected with a senior judge’s duties or activities as an officeholder. Therefore, there is credible evidence that the respondent violated section 253.035(a) of the Election Code in connection with the use of the paper publication of the Wall Street Journal at the respondent’s residence and the online access to the Wall Street Journal.”
 
Judge Ken Wise – Dues/Subscriptions – Executives Assn. of Houston
 
From 2006 to 2008 Judge Ken Wise spent $1,115.80 in campaign funds to pay dues and subscriptions to the Executives Association of Houston.
 
I personally fail to see how this had anything to do with Judge Ken Wise’s official judicial duties or how it related to any legitimate campaign activity.
 
The expenditures by Judge Ken Wise are listed below.
  • Executives Association of Houston, 20081204, 550.00: Dues & Subscriptions
  • Executives Association of Houston, 20080213, 275.00: Dues & Subscriptions
  • Executives Association of Houston 20080428, 250.00: Dues & Subscriptions
  • Executives Association of Houston, 20070102, 275.00: Dues & Subscriptions
  • Executives Association of Houston, 20070424, 275.00: Dues & Subscriptions
  • Executives Association of Houston, 20060804, 525.00: Dues & Subscriptions
  • Executives Association of Houston, 20061013, 275.00: Dues & Subscriptions
  • Executives Association of Houston, 20061205, 91.55: Dues & Subscriptions
How in the world does the payment of over $2,500 in dues and subscriptions to the Executives Association of Houston have to do with Judge Ken Wise’s official judicial duties? Moreover, what does it have to do with any legitimate campaign activity?