Did Jerry Eversole read this?
Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole received one of the largest fines in state history for violations of campaign finance laws: $75,000.00.
An undercover investigation revealed Eversole, commissioner of Precinct 4, spent very little time in his office…with his “workout” being the only official item on his calendar!
"That was a heavily damaging story. The visuals and sound tracks made it a must-see piece of video," said KTRK Political Analyst Dr. Richard Murray. "Whatever possibility of running for public office pretty much ended when those stories ran."
Eversole's campaign spending of $750,000 in 18 months that triggered the ethics investigation
Among the expenses he has labeled as “public relations” or “misc.” were scores of trips to coffee shops and restaurants; several expenses to gun maker Beretta USA Corp.; and $292 spent at Foot Locker. Also among his “public relations” expenses was a $6,850 trip to Florida, which attracted the attention of the DA’s office.
The FBI, in cooperation with the Harris County’s DA office, reportedly have been looking for evidence of potential corruption in his political finances for the past 2 years. Eversole said last year that he expected the probe could force him from office. He also said he was innocent of any ethical or criminal wrongdoing.
Eversole also was among a number of officeholders whose true political wealth was revealed to be far more than what showed up in campaign finance reports. When investment holdings were disclosed in late 2007, his war chest grew from $475,000 to $1.8 million.
In a statement, Eversole's campaign denied misusing campaign funds but the commissioner said this, "I have accepted responsibility for the past errors and used it as an opportunity to revamp our campaign finance disclosure practices. i am pleased to have put this TEC inquiry behind me, and am ready to move forward."
However, a federal corruption investigation still looms.
Under the settlement with the Texas Ethics Commission, Eversole also agreed to reimburse his campaign $41,357.10. The Ethics Commission also fined the Eversole campaign $75,000 for its past reporting practices.
Former County Judge Robert Eckels, hired by Eversole to scrutinize past campaign finances and serve as his new treasurer, said in the prepared statement that all the items paid for with campaign money were “legal and legitimate,” but that Eversole agreed to pay for them personally in order to remove any doubt.
For related story: Eversole speaks at a Chamber gala reported by NW Houston Community Examiner
LOOK OUTSIDE!! That stuff is called, "rain". Water is falling from the sky....Y E A H!!!!
For more James Hamilton: .gif)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Got an idea for an article, a beef with the system, or want to become an Examiner?
E-mail me at: James@thejameshamlton.com
Comments