The Republicans in the Texas legislature have removed public corruption cases from the Public Integrity Unit headed by the Travis County District Attorney.
The Texas Rangers will now investigate “credible” allegations of corruption by state officials, but prosecution of any charges will now take place in the official’s home county rather than in Travis County.
Why? Well, maybe because: 1. After spending hundreds of thousand of public dollars unsuccessfully chasing a presidential bid, Rick Perry, just before leaving office, gave out more bonuses to his departing aids in one day than he had in the preceding four years combined; or, 2. AG Ken Paxton continued to pay his top three aides after their resignations by putting them on “emergency leave.”
This meant they did not have to report to work while being paid their full salaries and benefits. One aide immediately took a paid position in the failed Ted Cruz campaign for president.
3. Sid Miller, the new Ag Commissioner, took a state paid trip to Oklahoma to get a “Jesus Shot.” He first claimed he was to meet Oklahoma state official’s there, but when this turned not to be true, he had to pony up.
Next, he took another state paid trip to compete in a national rodeo in Mississippi where he won some $880.
He tried to justify the trip by claiming he would try to meet some state official’s there. When no meeting took place, he repaid the state with campaign funds. A no no.
Miller you recall campaigned as fiscal hawk, but in 2015 he splurged for $413,000 in employee bonuses.
4. The Republicans’ newest darling, George P. Bush (Jeb’s son) took over the Land Office and quickly decided to clean house.
He fired over 100 employees. However, fearing being sued for wrongful termination, he offered the departing employees “emergency leave” of up to 4/5 months.
They would receive full salary and benefits (insurance, vacation, sick time, and accrue retirement benefits) without having to report for work provided they agreed not to sue or disclose the written agreement.
Former commissioner Patterson’s director of executive administration was paid more than $40,000 for not working for four months.
With an agency of 600 employees, Bush gave out to departing employees 1,850 days pay valued at $655,000.
So where’s the outrage from our Tea Party and other conservative friends for this outlandish abuse of power?
Melchor Chavez Harlingen
