This Texas lawmaker hasn't filed a campaign finance report in years. Can the state make him?

[TexasTowelie]

by Jolie McCullough, Texas Tribune


For years, it’s been unclear where one Texas lawmaker is getting his money and how he’s spending it. That’s because state Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, has failed to file multiple mandatory campaign and personal financial reports, racking up more than $50,000 in fines.

The penalties imposed by the Texas Ethics Commission keep growing, but, despite referrals to the Texas Attorney General and several court rulings ordering payment, Reynolds still hasn’t paid up. Two years and at least nine deadlines have passed with no new filings. It’s a situation that highlights the long-standing question of how much enforcement power the state has over lawmakers’ political dealings.

“The ethics commission is dependent on the AG and other officials to prosecute civilly or criminally in the courts,” said Fred Lewis, an Austin attorney with expertise in campaign finance law. “So the question is what other additional steps can they take?”

Reynolds — who did not return multiple requests for comment on this story — has not filed a campaign finance report since February 2016, resulting in $52,000 in fines, according to the Texas Ethics Commission, the regulatory agency in charge of political activities of state lawmakers and candidates. Reynolds also hasn't filed an annually-mandated report outlining his personal finances since 2015, tacking on another $1,500 penalty.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2018/02/06/texas-rep-ron-reynolds-hasnt-filed-campaign-finance-report-years/

If the representative cannot get his financial reporting corrected quickly, then he needs to resign from office.

[CurtEastPoint]

1. I would expect this from one of THOSE people (R-anywhere) but not our side. GTFO, Ronnie.