Texas GOP Gets Caught - Decides to Stop Breaking the Law

[WestHoustonDem]

The Austin-American Statesman is reporting that the Texas GOP:

"... avoided prosecution Thursday by agreeing to stop using corporate money in several ways being investigated by Travis County Attorney David Escamilla.

Escamilla's investigation, which is similar to allegations being pursued by Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle against U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay and the Texas Association of Business, is put on hold through March 31, 2007. In return, the Republican Party agrees to stop using corporate money the way it did during the 2002 election. The party's administrative expenses spiked five-fold to about $5.6 million that year..."

More at http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/content/metro/stories/11/18gopdeal.html and http://www.houstondemocrats.com/archives/2005/11/texas_republica.html

It's good to know we can count on some Republicans to do the right thing when they are threatened with prosecution.

[Vincardog]

1. Let's se what happens when we threaten them replacement.

[sonias]

2. That's great!

I'd say that was an admission of guilt by them, whether they cop to it or not. That doesn't bode well for Tom DeLay.

More importantly like Escamilla says is that they finally "understand" administrative expenses mean and it's not for polls, pro-candidate mailing pieces and get out the vote campaign materials.

Sonia

[redqueen]

4. I don't believe for one second that they didn't know that before.

Criminals.

[sonias]

3. Yahoo story link, go vote it up

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051117/ap_on_re_us/texas_gop_fundraising
Texas GOP Reaches Deal on Donations
If the Republican Party of Texas complies with the agreement, the county attorney will not prosecute it over 2002 corporate spending. But if the party violates the agreement between now and March 31, 2007, Escamilla's office retains the authority to file criminal actions for at least three election code violations, he said.

(snip)
Under the agreement, the GOP acknowledged using corporate money in the amount of $12,199 for postage to send a voter-registration mailer; $49,600 to pay for a voter-registration/get-out-the-vote mailer; and $3,706 for a political consulting fee.
(/snip)

(snip)
The Republican Party's agreement also calls for it to file state-required expenditure reports electronically and to send its executive director and the person who oversees its accounting to educational training classes on state election law.
(/snip)

Ethics review courses for all republicans!

Sonia