Craddick (SoH, Texas) Deeply Involved In Raising, Distributing Money

[LoneStarLiberal]

<http://www.statesman.com/news/content/auto/epaper/editions/tuesday/news_0413ac9f72c0608a00c2.html>

Craddick was deeply involved in raising, distributing money in 2002 election

Role raises questions with speaker's critics

By Laylan Copelin

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Tuesday, February 17, 2004

While he campaigned to be leader of the Texas House of Representatives, Tom Craddick of Midland delivered $152,000 from a political action committee to 14 Republican candidates crucial to his election as speaker.

The committee, Texans for a Republican Majority, is under criminal investigation after it was accused of violating state campaign finance laws, and Craddick's critics are questioning whether he also stepped over a legal line.

<snip>

Almost a year ago, McDonald filed the initial complaint accusing Texans for a Republican Majority of illegally using corporate money in the 2002 legislative elections. Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, who's been investigating the committee, declined Monday to say whether Craddick's role with the committee might affect the investigation.

<snip>

For years, Craddick, the longest-serving Republican in the House, had tried to marshal Republican money to elect a GOP majority and unseat Democrat Pete Laney. When Craddick publicly stepped aside in 2002 to run as speaker, U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and other Craddick allies took over that role.

<snip>

[LiberalFighter]

1. Shoot the sobs!!!

[Mithras61]

2. This is the same garbage that Delay has been doing for years...

and claiming the whole time that it is legal. Basically, if the funds from corporate donors were used for anything but infrastructure, then it was illegal laundering of contributions. TRM has effectively admitted this, since they have admitted to paying for contribution solicitors from these funds. Further, to hide their activity, they've had donors give directly to candidates (but at TRM's soliciting) and then had the contribution given from the corporation with TRM appearing as part of the donations process. It's a pretty slick, sick scam, but Delay's been using it for most of his political career.

[tex46]

3. Man, I hope DeLay/Craddick and Co. go down for this

These guys are awful and are awful for Texas.

[newyawker99]

5. Hi tex46!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Gman]

4. You get pretty bold when you know the courts are as corrupt

as you are. GOP/conservative courts will probably over turn whatever comes out of this.