TEXAS STATE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL CONDUCT
The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct has concluded that Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra should be “publicly admonished” and ordered to obtain two hours of additional education with a mentor on “social media and the judiciary.”
According to an official TSCJC document, Becerra posted about several businesses to his judicial social media accounts, including Gil’s Broiler & The Manske Roll Bakery, which he owns. The commission constituted the posts as advertisements. They said he also promoted the “Classic Rides on El Camino Real” car show through judicial accounts while allowing the use of his title and courthouse resources in connection with the event.
The original complaint was filed with the Commission on Judicial Conduct by John D. Ferrera with The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News, a San Antonio-based digital, for-profit news and consulting outlet, which states on its website that it focuses on government transparency and accountability.
The commission stated that Becerra had broken two relevant Texas Code of Judicial Conduct standards. Canon 2B of the code states “a judge shall not lend the prestige of judicial office to advance the private interests of the judge or others.” Canon 4A(1) of the code states, “a judge shall conduct all of the judge’s extra-judicial activities so that they do not cast reasonable doubt on the judge’s capacity to act impartially as a judge.”
During its meeting on April 8 and 9, the commission found that Becerra had posted across his social media accounts about many businesses, including 12 advertisements for his own business, Gil’s Broiler & The Manske Roll Bakery. The commission referred to these posts as advertisements, but in a statement issued on his personal Facebook page, Becerra denied that the posts constitute advertisements.
“I have always believed in supporting our local businesses and community organizations, and my intent was never to advertise or provide special treatment to any individual business. The posts and events referenced were meant to highlight places and activities where I personally spend my time and to encourage community engagement across Hays County,” Becerra stated. “I respectfully disagree with the commission’s findings and did not believe my actions constituted advertising.”
Though Becerra denied that the posts were advertisements in his Facebook post, the documentation from the commission states that he eventually agreed the posts were advertisements during the hearing.
“During his testimony, Judge Becerra acknowledged his posts endorsing local businesses were advertisements,” the document states.
The commission found that Judge Becerra organized a monthly car show, “Classic Rides on El Camino Real.” The car show was operated through Hays Classic Rides/Classic Cars of Hays County, which is owned by Becerra’s son Cristian. Becerra posted about the car show 46 times across his judicial social media accounts.
“What is being claimed is that because I preside over license suspension hearings as a judge, I can somehow be biased because of posts I have made regarding community events and local places,” Becerra wrote on Facebook. “That conclusion seems unrealistic to me and does not reflect how I approach my judicial responsibilities.”
The commission found that vendors must pay $20 to participate in the show, and those funds were sent to the owner of one of the businesses that Becerra had posted about several times on his judicial social media accounts.
Classic Rides offered sponsorship levels ranging from the Premier Level at $1,000, the Platinum Level at $500, which included “Judge Becerra Swag,” and the Gold Level at $250. Classic Rides also offered awards to attendees, which stated “Judge Becerra presents …” at the top of the plaque.
Becerra stated in his letter to the commission that the $500 sponsorship never materialized, so it never included what would have been “Judge Becerra Swag.” He said he did not sponsor awards, only presented them.
The commission found that his Community Liaison, a county employee, provided logistical support for Classic Rides.
The commission stated that Becerra’s written response denied using courthouse staff to facilitate the car show. In his letter, the commission stated that Becerra “acknowledged the courthouse use agreements for Classic Rides was signed by himself,” but stated that all agreements were “in compliance with courthouse grounds use agreement.” The commission document also states that Becerra testified the Classic Rides event is no longer occurring and that he has stopped posting about local businesses on social media.
Becerra stated on Facebook that he takes “the responsibilities of public service seriously,” and he remains “committed to serving the residents of Hays County with integrity, fairness and transparency.” He added that he plans to appeal the findings but will cooperate throughout the process, and he ended the post with the list of the 24 business names the commission stated he had posted about previously.
