Texas lawmakers (R) didn't disclose investments - AP

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081016/ap_on_re_us/lawmaker_conflict">Texas lawmakers didn't disclose investments

By Jay Root, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 37 mins ago

AUSTIN, Texas – A company that became a national
leader in providing patrol cameras to police was built
on the strength of a Texas contract obtained while two
state lawmakers were shareholders in the firm — a
possible violation of state ethics laws.

WatchGuard Video points with pride to the legislators
who became early investors in the company as it grew
from a tiny startup into a government contracting
powerhouse.

The two men said they never pulled strings on behalf
of WatchGuard. But they voted for the spending bills
that gave state business to the company, and both
turned a profit after selling some of their shares.

-snip-

Vanman named the lawmakers: Republican Reps. Ken
Paxton, Byron Cook and former Rep. Bob Griggs.
WatchGuard's vice president of operations, Dennis
Pirkle, is a part-time city judge and jail magistrate,
according to company literature.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081016/ap_on_re_us/lawmaker_conflict