http://www.texasobserver.org/showArticle.asp?ArticleID=1575Scandal in the Speaker's Office
A campaign finance scandal threatens to swallow Tom Craddick
In a recent press statement, Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle explained how his investigation began: "In the late Fall of 2002, in response to public boasting by the Texas Association of Business (TAB) that it had collected and contributed money from corporations to elect candidates to the Texas Legislature, this office began an investigation into possible violations of Texas law prohibiting such corporate contributions. That initial effort led to an investigation of allegations that Texans for a Republican Majority (TRMPAC), a political action committee, also illegally raised and used corporate money for political purposes."
(snip)
If in fact Ronnie Earle’s investigation reveals a conspiracy that showed a blatant disregard for the law, the blame can be placed on the oversized ambition of two Republicans named Tom. And the roots of the scandal were laid bare in an invitation to a press conference in November of 2002. (Tom Craddick and Tom DeLay)
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Oh boy I was waiting for this one since I got my issue a couple of days ago. The Texas Observer does great reporting. This is a long story but lots of new info not in some of the other media stories. A good summary of the Sharpstown scandal for a historical perspective.
Please, please let it swallow both Craddick and DeLay.
Sonia