Burnt Orange Report

TRMPAC and TAB Indicted for Election Shenanigans

By Damon McCullar

The AAS reports this morning that Texans for a Republican Majority PAC and the Texas Association of Buisnesses PAC have both been indicted on 128 counts.

Previously only Jim Ellis, a former Tom DeLay staffer, and current head of Americans for a Republican Majority (Tom DeLay's PAC) and John Colyandro, executive director of Texas for a Republican Majority PAC and been indicted for election wrong-doing.

Statements on the Indictments:

Rep. Tom DeLay:

"Today's announcement is limited to a political organization and does not affect Mr. DeLay. Last month, Mr. DeLay voluntarily talked to the Travis County District Attorney's office about their two-year inquiry into campaign fundraising. Mr. DeLay explained to officials what he has always said publicly: his role with respect to TRMPAC was limited to serving on the political action committee's advisory board along with other elected Texas officials and to appearing at fundraising events. Mr. DeLay assured the district attorney's office that he was not involved in the day to day operations of TRMPAC and to his knowledge all activities were properly reviewed and approved by lawyers for the PAC."

- Kevin Madden, spokesman for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay

Chris Bell

"Today’s indictments increase the pressure on Congress to fully investigate my original complaint against Tom DeLay and his illegal campaign finance schemes. If the actions of Tom DeLay’s political machine are deserving of a criminal indictment, then he is certainly deserving of a full investigation by the House Ethics Committee. It will be an embarrassment if DeLay’s colleagues in Congress fail to move ahead with an investigation in light of today’s criminal indictment."

TAB:

"The indictments completely ignore the First Amendment that, according to the United States Supreme Court, gives individuals and their businesses the absolute right to inform the public of the conduct of our elected officials and the conduct of candidates for public office including their public statements and their voting record. At no time did the Texas Association of Business endorse any candidate, make any political contribution or campaign expenditure. The conduct of the Texas Association of Business was limited to its absolute right to inform the public, and in every case their conduct was reviewed and approved by an election lawyer with thirty years of experience in the field. It is my firm belief that the Courts will confirm that the conduct of the Association was legal and consistent with the First Amendment rights of every citizen.