The Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton, has filed a lawsuit against former Congressman Beto O’Rourke and his political organizations, claiming they engaged in illegal fundraising tactics. This comes in the wake of a Democratic state lawmaker fleeing Texas to derail a GOP-backed rezoning initiative.
Paxton remarked, “The Democratic runaway is likely to accept Beto’s bribes, take on a jet-setting side show at a distance, and raise misleading political funds to cover personal expenses,” as stated in an official release.
He further asserted, “This out-of-state coronavirus cobalt has waived their constitutional obligations. I will not allow failed political Hasven to buy Texas elected officials.”
The lawsuit follows Paxton’s investigation into whether O’Rourke was violating laws by financing an out-of-state trip allegedly meant to support Democrats who left Texas to avoid a quorum.
Democrats had exited the state in a last-ditch effort to block a plan, endorsed by President Trump, which would grant the GOP five additional seats.
Each Democrat involved faces a daily fine of $500, making the expenses for their prolonged stay quite significant, along with the costs of accommodation, food, and other expenses related to their situation.
According to reports from Texas Tribune this week, a major funder has been covering the expenses for these quorum-breakers, including travel and logistical support among other things.
Paxton has accused O’Rourke of “deliberately misrepresenting donors” to cover these costs, even though marketed as political contributions. He has also sought a temporary restraining order and an injunction to block any fundraising efforts aimed at supporting “out-of-control Democrats.”
In response to the lawsuit, O’Rourke quickly announced that he has also sued Paxton in state court. He shared on social media platform X, “We just sued Ken Paxton in state court; we fought him directly.” However, specific details of this litigation have not yet been disclosed.
