The seemingly endless barrage of complaints filed with the Texas Ethics Commission against local elected officials and political groups is continuing with the most recent filings coming against State Rep. Allen Fletcher.

Last month, the TEC received two complaints from Montgomery County residents Jim Doyle and Thomas Curry who allege that, among other claims, Fletcher received more than $20,000 in corporate or labor union contributions in violation of Texas law.

In his complaint filed on Jan. 13, Doyle claims Fletcher accepted $9,350 from 16 different donors in 2008 when Fletcher was first elected to represent district 130, which includes Tomball. Five days later, Curry filed a 32-page complaint also claiming that Fletcher accepted corporate contributions, but also utilized campaign money for personal use.

Curry cites 24 instances between July of 2009 and October of 2010 where he claims Fletcher received a donation from a corporation or labor union. Those contributions total $16,200.

Section 253.003 of the Texas Election Code prohibits elected officials from receiving campaign donations from corporations or labor unions. Many of the donors Fletcher cites in his campaign finance reports are reported as “associations,” such as the Houston Police Retired Officers Association, the Texas Quarter Horse Association and the Texas State Rifle Association.

Other contributions that have come into question include those from donors such as A-Fast Bail Bonds, Everest Publishing Media, Harold Reese Jewelry and DDS Associates LLP.

Fletcher did not return messages left by the Tribune at either his Houston or Austin office for comment on this story.

Curry also claims that Fletcher illegally converted campaign funds into personal use when Fletcher reported spending more than $6,000 of his campaign money on gas and more than $7,000 on meals.

In his finance reports, Fletcher reports that the majority of the food expenses were spent on “campaign meetings with meal.”

However, the TEC has already determined they will not consider Curry’s claims that the food and gas expenditures violated state law. In a letter to Fletcher, the TEC states “the complaint merely lists political expenditures and provides no evidence to support the allegations that the respondent converted political contributions to personal use. Therefore, allegations that the respondent converted political contributions to personal use will not be considered.”

The Election Code states that “payments made to defray ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in connection with activities as a candidate or in connection with the performance of duties as a public officeholder” are considered viable and legal.

Curry also calls into question more than $700 in campaign money Fletcher paid to Time Warner for cable service for an apartment in Austin, a $97.37 expense on Jan. 26, 2009 to Al’s Formal Wear, $454.27 to Barnes and Noble and $430.87 to Bed Bath and Beyond.

Fletcher also reports spending more than $170 at Baker Street Pub and The Cloak Room, both bar and grills in the Austin area.

In addition, Curry cites a July 6, 2010 expense for $74.25 at Jack in the Box which Fletcher described as “Transportation Equipment and Related Expenses.”

However, each of those instances Curry cites did not meet TEC requirements for a viable complaint and will not be considered when the Commission considers Curry’s complaint.

Doyle and Curry have a long history of keeping a close watch on political finances by elected officials. Among others, Curry has filed complaints against former Magnolia mayor Jimmy Thornton and current Tomball city council member Derek Townsend.

Last year, Doyle filed a complaint against Tomball Mayor Gretchen Fagan.

Also currently under review are complaints filed to the TEC against Tomball council members Preston Dodson and Mark Stoll.

Most recently, Fagan filed a complaint of her own against the Tomball Tea Party.

The TEC has yet to make a ruling on any of those complaints.

Comments (1)

Subscribe to this comment's feed