State Rep Joe Driver gets probation and a pension

State Representative Joe Driver ,exposed by Jay Root of the Associated Press for double dipping taxpayers for over $63,000, plead guilty to a felony abuse-of-office charges. In a state that is "tough on crime" Driver should have got more than 5 years of probation. And he did. He got to keep his pension. From the Texas Tribune:

• As part of his plea agreement, Driver will get five years deferred adjudication, avoiding jail time as long as he doesn't violate the terms of his probation.
• Prosecutors said Tuesday that Driver would repay about $14,000 more, bringing the total amount repaid to $63,748.36.
• Driver will also pay a $5,000 fine and undergo any treatment or counseling recommended by the probation department.

And he will be able to keep his tax funded pension and health care. Texas talks tough on crime except when it comes to our elected officials. Driver should have received at least 10 years probation and, as a felon, should have lost his pension.

Thanks to Jay Root of the Associated Press for exposing Driver. The Travis County District Attorney's office is investigating others such as Linda Harper-Brown and Dan Flynn for the same type of offenses. Flynn has already returned over $14,000 after he too was exposed for double dipping.

Driver will resign in the near future. In the video, Driver is thankful that this is resolved. (and that he got to keep his pension and health care)