Texas GOP investigated again (breaking finance laws)

[sonias]

AAS article 3/17
Texas GOP investigated again
Travis prosecutor checking whether party should have reported activity for Bentzin campaign.

The Republican Party of Texas, which settled a criminal inquiry into its campaign finances just months ago, is back under investigation for not reporting its involvement in the Ben Bentzin campaign for the Texas House.

Travis County Attorney David Escamilla said Thursday that he is investigating whether the Texas GOP violated the state election code by not disclosing money it spent on ads attacking Bentzin's opponent, Donna Howard, during a January special election and February runoff. Howard, a Democrat, was elected to represent District 48 in western Travis County.

(snip)
Although the GOP did not report its political expenditures in the race, the Bentzin campaign did.

According to the campaign's reports, the GOP spent more than $16,000 for payroll, postage and office costs on behalf of the campaign, and the Bentzin campaign donated $45,500 to the party.(/snip)

They just can't keep breaking the law can they?

Sonia

[GOPisEvil]

1. Hahahahaha!! They can't even cheat right anymore!

How bad did Ben get smoked? :rofl:

[MissWaverly]

6. I saw a sign on another website

You all better quit criticizing Texas or we'll appoint another idiot as president.

[acmejack]

2. Versatile incompetence

Their trademark in governance. At least since the last term of a certain Mr. Lincoln.

[williesgirl]

3. They're obviously not worried about breaking any laws! n/t

[mom cat]

4. Ya'll better quit cheatin down der.

[babylonsister]

5. It's neverending in TX, isn't it. Sigh... nt

[sonias]

7. You won't believe the follow up story today

It seems the Texas Ethics commission may have given the TX GOP party a nod to be unethical. Freaking unbelievable!

AAS article 3/18
GOP got ethics opinion on Bentzin donations
Letter released Friday shows state official said disclosure report didn't need to be filed.

The Republican Party of Texas on Friday released a letter from state officials indicating that the GOP might not have to immediately disclose donations to the Ben Bentzin campaign for state representative.

In an exchange of e-mails Feb. 3, Ian Steusloff, the assistant general counsel to the Texas Ethics Commission, wrote that the party did not have to file a campaign financial disclosure report for the Feb. 14 run-off between Bentzin and Democrat Donna Howard if the party had not been involved in the original special election in January.


The letter could be crucial for the state GOP because Travis County Attorney David Escamilla is investigating a complaint that the party violated state law by not disclosing its involvement with the Bentzin campaign.

Seems they got their law breaking pre-cleared by the Texas Ethics Committee. Toothless captured agency! It might be worthwhile to check out Ian Steusloff, the assistant general counsel to the Texas Ethics Commission. See how he votes in the primaries and what party he gives money to.

If the state law is written to hide donation deceptions, then it has to be changed. Oh wait, the republicans control the legislature - ain't going to happen as long as they're in charge.

Sonia

[GOPisEvil]

8. The Ethics Commission is a joke.

They're not even toothless, their mouths are taped shut.