Houston

State Legislator Sentenced to 1 Year in Jail for Barratry

A jury has sentenced Houston-area state Rep. Ron Reynolds to the maximum penalty of a year in jail a fine following his conviction of misdemeanor barratry.

The Democrat was convicted Friday on five counts of illegally soliciting clients in an ambulance chasing scheme.

The Houston Chronicle reports that Reynolds was stoic as his sentence was read late Monday.

He plans to appeal, and the court will hold a hearing Tuesday on his request to remain free pending that.

Reynolds, a lawyer elected to a third term last year, denies violating state law barring attorneys from soliciting clients for accident or disaster claims until at least 30 days after the incident.

Reynolds originally was convicted on six counts of solicitation of professional employment last year, but that was eventually overturned.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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