Even though it’s a good eight months away from the 2010 general election, Eric Johnson (pictured), a solo from Dallas, found out today that he’s essentially on his way to the Texas House of Representatives. That’s because the longtime incumbent he’s challenging in the March Democratic primary election, Gladys E. "Terri" Hodge, pleaded guilty today in a U.S. District Court in Dallas to a charge of “fraud and false statements on an income tax return.” According to a factual résumé filed in the court along with the guilty plea, Hodge was provided a reduced rent on an apartment and free carpeting by a low-income housing developer — income that she did not report on tax returns. She faces up to three years in prison, according to the plea agreement. Also according to the plea agreement: “Hodge further agrees to resign her office as state representative for Texas House District 100 at the time the sentence is imposed by the court and to forbear from seeking or holding future public office thereafter.” U.S. District Court Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn has not yet set a sentencing hearing. Hodge did not immediately return a call for comment, nor did Johnson. Hodge’s attorney Jeff Kearney of Fort Worth’s Kearney Wynn, did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment. But Johnson, a former associate with the Dallas office of Haynes & Boone, is likely getting ready to serve in Austin, as no Republican filed to run in the heavily Democratic house district.
-- John Council
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