More PAC Lawsuits Filed In Texas

AUSTIN (CN) - Two more candidates for the Texas House claim racetrack interests, the Texans for Economic Development PAC, Retama Development and Call Now made illegal campaign contributions. Phil King, Republican incumbent in District 61, and Betty Brown, Republican incumbent in District 4 join Nathan Macias, Democratic candidate in District 73, in separate lawsuits in Travis County Court.

Here is Courthouse News' Feb. 25 story on Nathan Macias' lawsuit, whose claims, apart from party affiliation, resemble those made by King and Brown.

Illegal PAC Money Alleged In Texas

AUSTIN (CN) - Nathan Macias, Democratic candidate for District 73 in the Texas House, claims the racetrack industry made illegal contributions of more than $50,000 to his Republican opponent, defendant Doug Miller. Macias claims Texans for Economic Development PAC, Call Now Inc. and Retama Development Corp. violated state criminal law by "illegal contributions of at least $50,000 for the purchase of last-minute television advertising and ... last-minute direct mail pieces" opposing Macias, and, "by default, in support of Republican candidate Miller."

Macias calls Call Now and Retama the "chief supporters" of "the gaming industry." Call Now "receives a management fee to run the Retama race track," Macias claims in Travis County Court. He also sues TEDPAC's Treasurer, Tommy Azopardi, and Call Now President Thomas Johnson.

Macias claims TEDPAC's allegedly illegal shenanigans continue the ignoble Texas tradition of dirty political money, exemplified by "former Congressman Tom DeLay and others (who) are under indictment for using illegal political contributions to influence elections during the 2004 cycle."

Macias wants the defendants restrained from giving, receiving or spending the allegedly illegal campaign money, and restrained from publishing ads bought with the money.

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