Texas Gov. Rick Perry Indicted For Abuse Of Power

[Lakhota]

It's hot and windy. The good news is you can see the Tornado coming from a long distance.

I seriously doubt you've ever been there.

I spent 2 months there. It's a shit hole.

Expound. The people, the weather, the culture? It's really not my kind of place either. It's just boring to look at.

Mostly the weather - and the fact that it was stolen from Mexico. However, the very worst thing about Texas is the asshole politicians they elect.

 

[Where_r_my_Keys]

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

ROFLMNAO!

The Austin DAs are a LONG STANDING political JOKE in Texas politics. They 'indicted' Bush 14 times... . This is the 4th time they've 'indicted' Perry.

It's the usual clap-trap common to Relativism, which holds out deceit as truth and demands that "THE LAW" recognize their 'point of view' as valid and legitimate, despite it being wholly INVALID and FRAUDULENT.

It's like the Kangaroo Court in Africa that "indicted" Bush and Cheney for "WAR CRIMES".

LOL! It turns out that 'The Color of Law' does not bear the authority of "The Law".

 

[The T]

Perry is of course innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, something he and undocumented immigrants in Texas have in common.

Bigotry is the republican core value.

Project much Chrissy?

 

[OKTexas]

Perry really is a comical idiot.

He also acted well within his authority to veto what ever he wants. The fact that the legislature didn't override the veto says allot. Like the old saying goes, you can indict a ham sandwich, a conviction on the other hand is a different story. What will happen next is the Attorney General will go to a higher court and have the indictment squashed on State Constitutional grounds, that the Governor was acting well within his authority.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

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

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't a State Executive have the same immunities a the federal executive has? In other words only the House can indict him and the Senate try him. (or the Texas Equivalent).

In other words, this is nothing more than grandstanding in the one liberal bastion in conservative Texas. I guess DWI is A-OK for public servants in Austin Circles.

You are, in fact, wrong.

The President has absolute immunity from prosecution for his actions as President, barring impeachment.

State Governors have only qualified immunity - which Perry can attempt to claim, but a judge will decide whether he gets it or not.

 

[The T]

Perry really is a comical idiot.

He also acted well within his authority to veto what ever he wants. The fact that the legislature didn't override the veto says allot. Like the old saying goes, you can indict a ham sandwich, a conviction on the other hand is a different story. What will happen next is the Attorney General will go to a higher court and have the indictment squashed on State Constitutional grounds, that the Governor was acting well within his authority.

Yep. This is all political posturing. This will be swatted down in short order.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Novel way to win an election: The voters elected a Dem and Perry pushed her out in favor of a Republican.

Even though the right is gerrymandering and denying/stealing votes, this can't be allowed to stand.

 

[PoliticalTorch]

another one goes down....

He shouldn't have withheld that funding from the Public Integrity Unit in Austin. That was wrong of him to do in order to go after District Attorney Lehmberg and of course once it was done it WILL bite you right back and quite harshly and just at the most inopportune time while he is still a sitting governor and a presidential aspirant. And that can't be good for him.

 

[The Rabbi]

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?

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't a State Executive have the same immunities a the federal executive has? In other words only the House can indict him and the Senate try him. (or the Texas Equivalent).

In other words, this is nothing more than grandstanding in the one liberal bastion in conservative Texas. I guess DWI is A-OK for public servants in Austin Circles.

You are, in fact, wrong.

The President has absolute immunity from prosecution for his actions as President, barring impeachment.

State Governors have only qualified immunity - which Perry can attempt to claim, but a judge will decide whether he gets it or not.

It would probably depend on the laws of the state, right? I have no idea what it is in Texas.
Hey, why don't you do something useful and combine these two threads?

 

[LeftofLeft]

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A grand jury indicted Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Friday for abusing the powers of his office by carrying out a threat to veto funding for state prosecutors investigating public corruption — making the possible 2016 presidential hopeful his state's first indicted governor in nearly a century.

A special prosecutor spent months calling witnesses and presenting evidence that Perry broke the law when he promised publicly to nix $7.5 million over two years for the public integrity unit, which is run by Travis County District Rosemary Lehmberg's office. Several top aides to the Republican governor appeared before grand jurors in Austin, including his deputy chief of staff, legislative director and general counsel. Perry himself wasn't called to testify.

He was indicted by an Austin grand jury on felony counts of abuse of official capacity and coercion of a public servant. Maximum punishment on the first charge is five to 99 years in prison. The second is two to 10 years.

More: Texas Gov. Rick Perry Indicted For Abuse Of Power

Doesn't sound good for Ricky's presidential ambitions.

Perry got indicted for de-funding a politically motivated medium.

 

[Where_r_my_Keys]

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?

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't a State Executive have the same immunities a the federal executive has? In other words only the House can indict him and the Senate try him. (or the Texas Equivalent).

In other words, this is nothing more than grandstanding in the one liberal bastion in conservative Texas. I guess DWI is A-OK for public servants in Austin Circles.

You are, in fact, wrong.

The President has absolute immunity from prosecution for his actions as President, barring impeachment.

State Governors have only qualified immunity - which Perry can attempt to claim, but a judge will decide whether he gets it or not.

This, like the dozens of others illicit attempts by the fledgling Leftist cult in Texas to besmirch the Texans, will be crumpled and trashed at the first judicial hearing.

The thing to remember here is that THERE ARE NO LEFTIST AMERICANS and outside of Austin and Houston, no one in Texas gives a dam' what a Leftist has to say about anything.

 

[OKTexas]

On Feb. 1, 1860, Texas declared war on the United States.

They have been hurting the country every since.

14th largest economy in the world, you fucking commies sure like spending our money and burning our gasoline and natural gas. Fuck off wimp.

 

[Where_r_my_Keys]

another one goes down....

He shouldn't have withheld that funding from the Public Integrity Unit in Austin. That was wrong of him to do in order to go after District Attorney Lehmberg and of course once it was done it WILL bite you right back and quite harshly and just at the most inopportune time while he is still a sitting governor and a presidential aspirant. And that can't be good for him.

No... It won't bite anyone. Everyone in Texas knows who and more importantly, WHAT these 'people' are. And for those keeping score, "WHAT they are..." is a joke. They'll be laughed out of court, AGAIN!

 

[The Rabbi]

On Feb. 1, 1860, Texas declared war on the United States.

They have been hurting the country every since.

14th largest economy in the world, you fucking commies sure like spending our money and burning our gasoline and natural gas. Fuck off wimp.

Texas accounts for like 80% of the jobs Obama created.

 

[mudwhistle]

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

God you Liberal fuckstains are reaching for anything, aren't you?

Fuckstains is right.....

 

[nitroz]

good to see another nutter get his just desserts.

 

[OKTexas]

Texas really is a shitty state.

It's hot and windy. The good news is you can see the Tornado coming from a long distance.

I seriously doubt you've ever been there.

I lived there for 12 years and it's a shit hole. Armpit of America. Love guns, hate Blacks, Hispanics and women. Takes more in federal dollars than they return but they still vote Republican.

Don't care for regulation of their refineries, chemical or fertilizer plants. Let 'em blow up and kill people. Profit is everything. Weather totally sucks. Austin should declare itself a separate country and secede.

OH! And the highway patrol!!! Roadside body cavity searches!!!

Once again you're a fucking liar, TX gets about 75% of what they send the feds back. I'll be waiting on your apology, but I won't hold my breath.

 

[bodecea]

The prosecutor was convicted of DWI and refused to resign.

How can a prosecutor represent the interests of the people when she herself is a criminal?

Austin is chocked full of moonbats and a misdemeanor indictment on this charge, given the facts, only ENHANCES Perry's standing.

Please, keep trumpeting this as loudly as possible.

Getting indicted by a grand jury always enhances a politicians standing.

In Texas for sure.

 

[The Rabbi]

The prosecutor was convicted of DWI and refused to resign.

How can a prosecutor represent the interests of the people when she herself is a criminal?

Austin is chocked full of moonbats and a misdemeanor indictment on this charge, given the facts, only ENHANCES Perry's standing.

Please, keep trumpeting this as loudly as possible.

Getting indicted by a grand jury always enhances a politicians standing.

In Texas for sure.

Tell us what it did for Bill Clinton and Marion Barry.

 

[GreenBean]

The prosecutor was convicted of DWI and refused to resign.

How can a prosecutor represent the interests of the people when she herself is a criminal?

Austin is chocked full of moonbats and a misdemeanor indictment on this charge, given the facts, only ENHANCES Perry's standing.

Please, keep trumpeting this as loudly as possible.

Tell the grand jury that indicted him.

An indictment is not a conviction. And It's highly unusual that the indicted party , in this case Perry, never got the opportunity to present his case. Sounds like a purely political move .