PoliticalTorch
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How so? The guy brought that all on himself. You obviously have chosen to ignore that and remain in denial of it.God you Liberal ****stains are reaching for anything, aren't you?Governor Perry has reportedly again flirted with the idea of running for president of the United States. But an Austin grand jury has indicted Perry for abuse of official capacity and and coercion of a public servant. How is this likely to affect the Republicans later this year in the midterm election and two years from now in the general election?
AUSTIN -- A grand jury has chosen to indict Texas Gov. Rick Perry following an investigation into whether the governor abused his power by vetoing state funds for the Travis County District Attorney's Office last year.
Gov. Rick Perry is charged with the following:
- Gov. Perry is charged with one count of abuse of official capacity, a class A misdemeanor. This charge could be enhanced into a felony due to the amount of money that is involved.
- Gov. Perry is also charged with coercion of a public servant, a class A misdemeanor.
Perry vetoed state funds for the office after District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg refused to resign following a DWI conviction.
After the veto, Perry said he could not give money to Lehmberg's office because she had lost the public's confidence after her arrest in April 2013. Lehmberg pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 45 days in jail. She served 21 days.
Upon his indictment, Perry must turn himself in to the Travis County Jail, where he will be booked, fingerprinted and have his mug shot taken. A pre-trial hearing will be arranged within the next few weeks.
Defense attorneys could file a motion to have the indictment thrown out, which would delay a trial, or seek to have a trial within the next 90 days.
Perry can continue to serve as governor while under indictment. He can also continue as governor if convicted, but he could be stripped of office through a separate legislative removal process.
Perry could be charged with coercion of a public servant, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine, abuse of official capacity, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine, and bribery, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Last year, Lehmberg was allowed to keep her job following a civil trial based on a lawsuit filed by an Austin lawyer citing a Texas constitutional code states an elected official can be removed for intoxication on or off duty.
A complaint by watchdog group Texas for Justice alleged Perry violated state laws concerning bribery, coercion and abuse of authority.
The veto meant that the Public Integrity Unit, which investigates ethics complaints against politicians statewide and is housed in Lehmberg's office, was left without a $7.5 million two-year allocation. Travis County commissioners later agreed to partially fund the operation, but two employees lost their jobs.
A Perry spokesperson said that the governor broke no laws and exercised his constitutional veto authority through line-item vetoes in the budget.
A Texas judge called for special prosecutor Michael McCrum to look into Perry's actions last year. A grand jury spent four months looking at evidence in the case and hearing testimony from members of the governor's staff, all of whom testified before the grand jury.
This case is the last open investigation related to Lehmberg's DWI arrest.
KEY PLAYERS IN THE PERRY CASE
Craig McDonald, complainant and director of Texans for Public Justice
- Filed criminal complaint against Perry days after veto
- Complaint alleged Perry broke several misdemeanor and felony state laws
- Complaint was initially sent to State District Judge Julie Kocurek in Travis County
- Kocurek recused herself, and a special judge and prosecutor were appointed to handle the matter
Michael McCrum, special prosecutor
- San Antonio native
- Appointed by State District Judge Bert Richardson in August 2013 to handle Perry inquiry
- Former federal prosecutor hired during President George H.W. Bush administration
- Selected by President Barack Obama for a U.S. attorney position in Texas, but withdrew his name from consideration
- Currently works primarily in San Antonio criminal defense practice, specializes in white collar crimes
Bert Richardson, state district judge
- ​San Antonio native
- Appointed in July 2013 by State District Judge Billy Ray Stubblefield to handle Perry inquiry; Stubblefield is presiding judge for region
- 25 years of trial experience as a lawyer and a judge
- Current Republican candidate for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
David Botsford, Perry defense attorney
- Hired by Perry for $450 an hour at taxpayer expense in April
- Has successfully represented doctors, lawyers, oil executives and other notable clients
- Has said Perry veto was "carried out in both the spirit and the letter of the law"
Grand jury indicts Gov. Rick Perry on two charges