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| Tomball councilman Dodson latest target of TEC complaint |
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Preston Dodson has become the fourth City of Tomball elected official within the past three months to fall under a Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) investigation after a complaint was filed last month by a Woodlands resident. Stephanie Williams of The Woodlands filed a complaint with the TEC Oct. 12 claiming that Dodson, who has served on the council for just over three months, violated state law when he allegedly filed incorrect campaign finance forms. Williams’ most serious complaint, however, alleges that Dodson accepted a contribution from a corporation while running for public office. The complaint states that Dodson on Aug. 6 rode in the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce’s Tomball Night Parade in a car she claims was donated to Dodson by Tomball Ford. “Mr. Dodson and his wife used a chauffeur and luxury convertible provided by Tomball Ford, Inc., for a parade through the city of Tomball,” Williams stated in her complaint to the TEC. That same day Dodson was required to file his “8th Day Report,” detailing his campaign contributions and finances. That report did not include mention of the Tomball Ford vehicle Dodson rode in. Dodson called her complaint “premature.” “The complaint Williams filed dealt with the report filed through Aug. 5. The use of the vehicle was on Aug. 6, and therefore was to be reported on the next report,” Dodson said. “Her complaint is premature and I have, in fact, paid Tomball Ford.” Williams also claims Dodson, an attorney at the Tomball law firm of Clifton, Dodson and Sortino, made faulty campaign expenditure and contribution calculations on his 8th Day Report. Williams states that Dodson’s “Total Political Contributions” should have totaled $2,922 and not $6,882 as he reported. In addition, she states Dodson’s “Total Political Expenditure” total is incorrect, as well. Her complaint states that total should reflect $1,368.85 in expenditures, not $3,140.64 as was reported. Dodson said he made the same mistake other elected officials allegedly had made in believing the requested amount to be a running total, rather than independent for its filing timeline. “It’s the same error that half a dozen others have made, it shows a cumulative number,” Dodson explained. Council members Mark Stoll and Derek Townsend, as well as Mayor Gretchen Fagan have all fallen under TEC investigations within the past thee months, with all having allegedly made the same error. Also like his counterparts, Dodson is said to have failed to adequately report purposes of payment for political expenditures. Williams cites two instances, a July 20 expense of $300.33 at Gianna Italian Kitchen and $30 on July 30 to the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce, that Dodson’s “Event Expense” purpose of payment was insufficient. “Such vague ‘purpose of payment’ descriptions suggest the unlawful conversion of campaign funds to personal use,” Williams states in her complaint. Complaints against Fagan, Stoll and Townsend used identical language and were filed by Jim Doyle, Alvin Schlieske and Thomas Curry, respectively. Williams also claims that Dodson violated state law by abbreviating the United States Postal Service as “USPS” in three expenditures. After his initial report, Dodson filed two corrected reports which amended the financial numbers to reflect the totals Williams says should have been originally reported. Dodson’s corrected reports also were changed to reflect his July 20 expense at Gianna to state “Food/Beverage – Fundraiser,” and his July 30 Chamber of Commerce expense to “Parade Entry Fee.” He also corrected the “USPS” expenditures to state “United States Postal Service.” Williams said she filed the complaint “due to the fact that we need to have good ethics in our community when we have people in authority. They need to make sure they read everything when it pertains to their ethics. We vote you in and your job is to then abide by the rules. He’s a lawyer, he can read.” Williams is the latest in a line of area citizens who have filed numerous complaints against local elected officials for allegedly violating finance laws. “Legitimate watchdog groups perform a valuable service,” Dodson said. “It’s always disconcerting to receive an ethics complaint like that, but hey, if there’s something wrong, point it out and we’ll fix it.” Dodson was notified of Williams’ complaint on Oct. 19. The letter to him states he had 25 business days from the date he received the file to respond. Dodson said he has responded. If he is found in violation, Dodson could face fines up to $5,000 for each violation. Comments (2)
... written by Thunderone; followup, November 30, 2010
I have been further apprised that in the Tomball Potpourri, some 12 days ago that Mr. Dodson admitted to the corporate contribution, and just had not corrected it yet.... I don't have the words verbatim, but since he is also an attorney and must be upheld to the highest standards, it would seem appropriate that a grievance should be filed with the State Bar of Texas to see to it that his practice of law in the sate is ceased.
. I can think of no greater transgression than to see someone going to someone for legal advice from an admitted felon....if I am reading this correctly. It is also very hard to understand the defense that will be taken that this was unintentional.....and done unknowingly. Let's see, Dodson is a lawyer and knows the law, signed the Treasurer's appointment with a big notice right smack dab above his signature that taking a corporate contribution is a 3rd degree felony; admits to it in 2 newspaper articles. . Now the question is this: Was it an unfair election and did the accused and admitted felon have an unfair advantage? What his riding in the parade in a car donated by a well known corporate citizen an added endorsement and a rebuke and disdain of his opponent? Would the lack of this acceptance of this gracious gift have changed 50 votes? . Maybe a greater need for a recall sits right here. . Let's take it to a grand jury and push for an indictment ...... if you shop lifted at Walmart a $20.00 items where would you be? ...and certainly the ride turned out to be worth a lot more than $20 bucks! . Bring um to justice.......
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"....“Mr. Dodson and his wife used a chauffeur and luxury convertible provided by Tomball Ford, Inc., for a parade through the city of Tomball,” Williams stated in her complaint to the TEC......" According to The Texas Comptroller's dept. Tomball Ford, Inc is a Texas corporation and making a contribution to a candidate is a third degree felony; Mr. Dodson signed his treasurer's appointment form and the line above his signature clearly states that Corporate Campaign Contributions are illegal. If he is too ignorant to understand that, then why do we have someone like this sitting on a council that has to manage millions of public funds? I find it very difficult to understand how this will be FIXED behind bars (jail bars).
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The question is not if he will be found in violation, since he signed the report under penalty of perjury and swore that it was true and correct upon his notarized signature......THE QUESTION IS WHEN WILL HE DO THE RIGHT THING AND RESIGN?