HOUSTON (AP) – A Texas judge is facing fraud charges for allegedly spending campaign money on personal expenses. Prosecutors say Harris County Judge Alexandra Smoots-Thomas misused nearly $25,000 in campaign funds between January 2016 and March 2017. The indictment unsealed Friday shows she spent that money on a home mortgage, private school tuition, jewelry and travel. The 44-year-old Smoots-Thomas pleaded not guilty Friday. Her attorney says she didn’t defraud anybody.
