Ex-candidate for governor Chris Bell ordered to pay GOP group $300,000 (Texas)
Source: Austin American-Statesman
Unsuccessful 2006 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell, once awarded $2 million in his lawsuit against the Republican Governors Association, has instead been ordered to pay the organization $300,000 in legal fees after losing on appeal.
The case dates to the closing days of the 2006 campaign, when the national association wrote two $500,000 checks to the campaign of Gov. Rick Perry, Bells Republican opponent.
After losing to Perry by 9 percentage points, Bell filed suit, arguing that the association violated state law by making political donations without appointing a Texas campaign treasurer or supplying a complete donor list. In 2010, Travis County District Judge John Dietz agreed, awarding Bell $2 million, or double the amount of the disputed contribution, as allowed by state law.
Last year, however, the 3rd Court of Appeals overturned Dietzs ruling, saying out-of-state organizations cannot be penalized for disclosure violations and are not required to designate a state treasurer. Bell appealed, but the Texas Supreme Court declined to accept the case, leaving the appeals court ruling intact.
Read more: http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/ex-candidate-for-governor-chris-bell-ordered-to-pa/nh7XM/?icmp=statesman_internallink_invitationbox_apr2013_statesmanstubtomystatesmanpremium
George II
(67,782 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)Dustlawyer
(10,497 posts)this Democrat win! It really didn't get that far, but if it had the Texas Supremes would have knocked his head off! There is no Justice in Texas!