After a year-long investigation, the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) has cleared Tomball City Councilman Preston Dodson of any serious wrongdoings, after a Woodlands resident filed a complaint in late 2010.

The TEC agreed with Stephanie Williams, of the Woodlands, after she filed a complaint that alleged Dodson violated state laws by not providing complete information regarding campaign expenditure. Dodson was fined $100 for the minor violation.

The TEC and Dodson came to an agreement after the TEC found that Dodson didn’t correctly list the purpose of a $300.33 expenditure to Gianna Italian Kitchen from July 20, 2010. Dodson listed it as an “Event Expense” in his original campaign report to the TEC.

Williams claimed in her complaint to the TEC, that the vague description suggested there was an unlawful conversion of campaign funds to personal use. The TEC found no proof of that allegation and Dodson even corrected it in a later report to the TEC. It was corrected to state the expenditure was for “Food/Beverage - Fundraiser.”

Dodson said that while he was confident he didn’t intentionally violate TEC regulations, he was upset with himself for not catching it in the original report.

“We inadvertently omitted it (in the original report), filed an amended report and fixed it,” he said. “Stuff like this embarrasses me to no end - I should have caught it.”

Williams’ most serious complaint, one that Dodson accepted an illegal corporate contribution, was dismissed by the TEC.

At the time the complaint was filed, Dodson said her arguments were premature and the TEC agreed.

The complaint stated that Dodson accepted a donation of a car from Tomball Ford to ride in during the Greater Tomball Chamber of Commerce’s Tomball Night Parade Aug. 6, 2010.

“The complaint Williams filed dealt with the report filed through Aug. 5,” Dodson told the Tribune at the time. “The use of the vehicle was on Aug. 6 and therefore was to be reported on the next report.”

The next report filed by Dodson in January of 2011, showed a $100 payment to Tomball Ford on Aug. 6 for “use of mustang for parade.”

Dodson said he knew all along he hadn’t accepted a corporate contribution and that the TEC findings prove it.

“It was premature,” he said. “Had they just waited for the report they would have seen it was paid for.”

Other issues raised by Williams’ complaints, including a payment to the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce for $30 and not spelling out United States Postal Service on Dodson’s expenditure form were found not to be in violation of TEC rules and regulations.

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