Additional background on the Perry indictment--why he wanted to control or eliminate the PIU

[TexasTowelie]

Last edited Fri Aug 15, 2014, 09:43 PM - Edit history (1)

While we are seeing news about the Perry indictment involving his attempt to interfere with the operations of the Travis County Public Integrity Unit, I want to remind everyone of this thread that I posted in January 2013:

CPRIT fallout: Cancer network ceases operations
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10785706

The article from the Austin American-Statesman included the followiing:

In his report released Monday, State Auditor John Keel criticized CPRIT’s handling of the $25.2 million grant to the cancer network. Since the network’s beginning in 2010, CPRIT violated its own rules by advancing the first $6.8 million of the grant to CTNeT instead of just reimbursing the network for expenses incurred.

-snip-

Prior to the audit, it was reported that CPRIT had awarded a $11 million grant to a Dallas startup, Peloton Therapeutics, without the required reviews. A second grant — $20 million for a Houston business incubator — was rescinded after objections that it didn’t receive a scientific review.

-snip-

Gimson, Gilman and Jerry Cobbs, the agency’s chief commercialization officer, have left the agency.

To date, none of the agency’s board members — appointed by Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst or House Speaker Joe Straus — have resigned.

In addition, one of the board member for CPRIT is Attorney General Greg Abbott and he never attended any of the CPRIT board meetings.

Greg Abbott, CPRIT & Favors for Friends
http://www.democraticunderground.com/107810591

Dems use CPRIT indictment against Abbott
http://www.democraticunderground.com/107813780

These indictments may ultimately lead to more investigations into other Republicans including Greg Abbott. This should bode well for the Democratic Party in the general election if mainstream media explains Perry's motivations for taking control of the one political unit that he could not control in Texas. The Lehmberg DUI was Perry's attempt to infiltrate the PIU with his cronies and it has backfired enormously.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

1. Why? Because they look under rocks??

I think Rachel said 10 years possible sentence on each of two counts. So that's a third degree felony, 2 to 10 years in prison.

[Gman]

3. What I saw was Class A misdemeanors with like $4K max fine and 1 year in prison max

[Warpy]

4. The last thing any crook, especially a Texas crook in office wants

is a bunch of people snooping around regarding his integrity. If the crook is Republican (which seems redundant at this point), he either needs to abolish the organization or make sure they stop snooping by appointing somebody he owns to head it.

While I sincerely doubt he will see any jail time or pay a significant portion of what he's stolen via a big fine, I do think this will somewhat hamper the Honest Rick image with the intellectual glasses he doesn't need peddled to a public somewhat weary of crooks in office.

[Gman]

2. Maybe I'm missing something but I don't see how this is relevant

It's the usual Perry crony stuff. Nothing to see here.

I was under the impression that this goes back to and is really about the Republican that lost a tough race for Travis Country DA meaning after Ronnie Earl left they couldn't take over the DA office. Meaning they continued to perceive they were vulnerable to scrutiny in a real way. It also goes back to Tom Delay. I forget if the current DA got her DUI before or after the election. Regardless, she refused to resign after Perry threatened the veto for the PIU. This investigation has been ongoing ever since he vetored the funding.

[TexasTowelie]

6. The PIU was pressing their investigation into the CPRIT audit and the fact that state contracts were

awarded to Perry's political contributors without proper review of the contracts. It is possible that the PIU could bring up charges of bribery against Perry.

There are also two felony charges being made. Grand jurors charged Perry, 64, with abuse of official capacity, a first-degree felony, and coercion of a public servant, a third-degree felony. The first charge carries a punishment of 5-99 years and a fine of up to $10,000. The second charge is punishable by 2-10 years and a fine of up to $10,000. (AAS)

[Gman]

10. Thanks, I stand corrected on the misdemeanor assertion

Bad info.

I see the connection now. Then quite possibly this is not over.

[Avalux]

5. Great summation! And yeah - Abbott is all twisted up in the mess too.

This is great news for Wendy!

Happy Happy Joy Joy!!!

[Trajan]

7. Thanks for this .... but .... I have a question

Do you have express approval to publish more than the typical 4 paragraph Fair Use copy from the owners of the Austin American-Statesmen?

I'm sure you are aware of the fair use rules ... surely you obtained permission to post this here ...

[TexasTowelie]

8. I'll go ahead and edit it down.

Thanks for the reminder.

[TexasTowelie]

9. Additional information:

In a separate matter, The Dallas Morning News reported last month that more than $13 million in CPRIT funds went to companies run by Dallas businessman David Shanahan after he and several of his associates contributed $90,000 to the campaigns of Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov David Dewhurst.

http://watchdogblog.dallasnews.com/2012/12/cprits-executive-director-resigns.html/