Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into whether Beto O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 political group, Powered by People, is breaking laws by funding Texas Democrats鈥� out-of-state travel attempting to stop the passage of the new Republican-favored congressional maps.
In a press release, Paxton cited The Texas Tribune鈥檚 on Tuesday that O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 group is funding the travel and fines for the more than 50 Democrats who left Texas this weekend to shut down the Legislature by depriving the House of a quorum.
The attorney general accused the organization of running a financial influence scheme that convinced Texas Democrats to leave the state, and vowed to investigate 鈥渁ny Democrat coward breaking the law by taking a Beto Bribe.鈥�
He is using a statute called 鈥渞equest to examine鈥� to demand documents and communications from the organization. While the legal tool has , the Texas Supreme Court its use in a earlier this year.
These Democrats, Paxton鈥檚 office said, may be breaking Texas law, alleging violations of unspecified statutes relating to campaign expenditures, coercion of public officials and abuse of office.
In a statement, O'Rourke brushed off the investigation.
鈥淭he guy impeached for bribery is going after the folks trying to stop the theft of five Congressional seats," he said, before encouraging people to donate to his political group. "Let鈥檚 stop these thugs before they steal our country.鈥�
The Texas House Democratic Caucus declined to comment.
The Tribune Powered by People鈥檚 leading financial role in the Democrats鈥� quorum break operation, with the George Soros-backed Texas Majority PAC playing a coordinating role in soliciting donations from deep-pocketed party donors. It remains unclear who these donors are.
This investigation is just the latest development in Paxton鈥檚 attack against Democrats, whose seats he a court to declare vacant if the caucus does not return to Austin by Friday.
Other Republicans have also tried to get in on the action. House Speaker Dustin Burrows arrest warrants for the Democrats, enabling state troopers to find lawmakers and compel their attendance should they step foot back in the state.
Gov. Greg Abbott to investigate 鈥淭exas House Democrats for potential bribery and any other potential legal violations connected to their refusal to appear for a quorum.鈥� Abbott on Tuesday also asked the Texas Supreme Court to declare House Democratic leader Gene Wu鈥檚 seat vacant.
Sen. John Cornyn, meanwhile, sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, requesting the bureau track down and probe lawmakers 鈥渨ho solicited or accepted funds to aid in their efforts to avoid their legislative duties.鈥�
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