The commission alleges former State Representative Toby Goodman, while living in Austin during legislative sessions, used campaign money toward purchases of Austin real estate by paying his wife -- rent on property. The Arlington lawyer denies wrongdoing and says he'll appeal.
The commission previously said lawmakers could use campaign
funds to rent from a spouse who had sole ownership of a property.
But the 2007 Legislature tightened the law to make such
arrangements illegal. State law prohibits the use of campaign funds
for personal use, including buying property.
In Goodman's case, the loans for the properties bought in 1998
and 1999 remained in both their names.