Perry's Politcal Scheming Irks Texas Watchdog"has potentially committed one or criminal offenses
Perry's Politcal Scheming Irks Texas Watchdog
AUSTIN, Texas (CN) - Gov. Rick Perry cannot withhold public funds until he can swap a drunk-driving Democratic prosecutor for the Republican of his choice, a watchdog group said.
Rosemay Lehmberg, the sitting district attorney for Travis County, drew the Texas governor's ire after she was caught driving while intoxicated in April 2013.
Though Texans for Public Justice said Lehmberg's fate should be left to the legal process alone, Gov. Perry demanded her immediate resignation after she pleaded guilty to the charges.
In a complaint Friday with Lehmberg and Travis County Attorney David Escamilla, Craig McDonald, director of Texans for Public Justice, said Perry overstepped his authority by "sticking his nose in Travis County's business."
"Governor Rick Perry has potentially committed one or more criminal offenses related to his recent threat to use his official powers to provide or withhold money in a manner intended to allow him to gain the benefit of appointing a new Travis County District Attorney," the complaint states. "I believe these actions, as reported, violate one or more provisions of the Texas Penal Code, Title 8, Offenses Against Public Administration."
Perry followed through on the threats hours later, issuing a line-item veto of Senate Bill 1 that stripped the Public Integrity Unit in Lehmberg's office of more than $7 million.
http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/06/18/58621.htm
