► Judge Douglas Lang of Dallas; scofflaw, moron, ethical gremlin Print
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Judge Douglas Lang of Dallas; scofflaw, moron, ethical gremlin

 
Ethics Advisory Opinion No. 245 – Whether a judge or judicial candidate may use political contributions to pay state bar dues (AOR-270) states in relevant part:
 
For judges required to be licensed to practice law in Texas, the payment of state bar dues is a purpose connected with the duties or activities of a judicial candidate or officeholder. Consequently, such judicial candidates and officeholders may use political contributions to pay state bar dues without violating Election Code §253.035, the “personal use” prohibition.
 
Texas Election law allows using campaign funds to pay annual Texas state bar dues. The rationale being that a judge in Texas is required to be a licensed attorney and the payment of annual bar dues is a purpose connected with his/her duties as an officeholder.
 
From 2002 through 2006, Judge Douglas Lang used campaign funds to pay annual bar license fee to the Missouri Supreme Court. Being a member of and paying annual bar dues to the Missouri Supreme Court is not required in the State of Texas to sit on the bench. Therefore, in my personal opinion these annual expenditures by Judge Douglas Lang as set forth below constitute an unlawful conversion (Class A criminal misdemeanor) of campaign funds for personal use.
 
Judge Douglas Lang’s illegal use of campaign funds is as follows:
  1. Missouri Supreme Court, 20061207, 140.00, annual bar license fee
  2. Missouri Supreme Court 20051205, 140.00, annual bar license fee
  3. Missouri Supreme Court, 20041208, 140.00, annual dues for Missouri Bar
  4. Missouri Supreme Court, 00031208, 140.00, annual bar dues
  5. Missouri Supreme Court, 20021231, 140.00, annual attorney enrollment fees
The above facts clearly demonstrate that Judge Douglas Lang is guilty of at least five (5) Class A criminal misdemeanors for the illegal conversion of campaign funds for personal use.