Official Oppression

Thanks to Swifty in Alabama for calling my attention to the fact that there is a misdemeanor in Texas called “official oppression:”

Ex-senator charged with abuse of office

By APRIL CASTRO
Associated Press AUSTIN — A former state senator from East Texas has been charged with two counts of election oppression before the 2006 elections, according to an indictment unsealed today.

A Panola County Grand Jury indicted former Sen. Drew Nixon, a Republican from Carthage, after a state investigation into the Panola County Fresh Water Supply District board elections alleged wrongdoing.

Nixon, an accountant who served as an informal district election administrator at the time, allegedly tried to keep two prospective candidates off the ballot, according to the office of Attorney General Greg Abbott.

"Texas will not tolerate illegal acts that undermine the integrity of the electoral process," Abbott said. "Election officials have a duty to serve the public's interest, not their own. Voters can rest assured the office of the attorney general is committed to strictly enforcing election laws." ...

Official oppression is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison and a maximum $4,000 fine.

While serving in the Texas Senate, Nixon was sentenced in 1997 to six months in jail for hiring a prostitute and illegally carrying a handgun. He served about 60 days, getting a day's credit for every day he was in jail and work credits. ...

But what is even more astounding is that a Texas legislator can be jailed for carrying a handgun.

Afterthought: If the AG is really concerned about the integrity of the electoral process, he’d better go dig up this guy.