Ken Paxton Launches Probe Into Beto O'Rourke's PAC Funding Democrats

Texas Attorney General Launches Investigation into Political Action Committee

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced that his office is launching an investigation into a political action committee (PAC) called Powered by People. The PAC, founded in 2019 by former U.S. Congressman Beto O’Rourke, is under scrutiny for allegedly bribing Texas Democrats who left the state to disrupt the legislative process.

The investigation comes after members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus left the state on Sunday to prevent a vote on a new congressional map that could benefit Republicans by potentially gaining five more seats in the midterm elections. Paxton claims the PAC may have engaged in an illegal financial influence scheme to bribe these lawmakers.

“Texas cannot be bought,” Paxton stated in a news release. “I look forward to thoroughly reviewing all of the documents and communications obtained throughout this investigation. These jet-setting runaways have already lost public trust by abandoning our state, and Texans deserve to know if they received illegal bribes to do it.”

Paxton alleges that the money provided by the PAC to the Democratic members who left the state may have violated bribery laws. His office has issued a Request to Examine, which demands documents and communications from the PAC.

O’Rourke responded to the allegations, highlighting his own legal history. He mentioned that he was twice indicted on securities fraud charges and impeached by the Texas Legislature, which is controlled by Republicans, on charges of bribery himself.

“This is the guy that we’re talking about, who was twice indicted on securities fraud charges. And ladies and gentlemen, he was impeached by the Texas Legislature — which is a Republican majority institution — on charges of bribery himself. And he’s accusing us of some kind of fraud as we try to stop the theft of these five congressional seats. Well you know what? We welcome his investigation, we welcome his attack, we welcome their hatred right now. Because it proves that we’re doing the right thing,” O’Rourke said during a speech in Oklahoma.

Democratic House members are being fined $500 every day they break quorum. The investigation by Paxton follows his announcement that he would seek judicial orders to vacate lawmakers’ seats if they do not return to the Texas House by Friday.

Governor Files Petition to Remove State Representative

Governor Greg Abbott has filed an emergency petition with the Texas Supreme Court to remove Democratic House Caucus Chair State Rep. Gene Wu, D – Houston, from his elected position. In his official filing, Abbott referenced donations made to the PAC.

“Soliciting and accepting funds as consideration for the ongoing violation of legislative duties constitutes bribery under both the Texas Constitution and the Texas Penal Code,” Abbott said in a release.

A banner on the front page of the Powered by People website reads, “Texas Democrats are fighting back. Help support their efforts to stop Trump’s Redistricting.” Next to that is a link to donate money to the PAC.

The PAC’s website states that it is composed of thousands of volunteers across the country who register, stay in touch with, and help turn out voters who will help decide the most consequential elections of our lifetime. Since launching in late 2019, the group claims its volunteers have enabled it to run the largest progressive voter mobilization effort in the history of Texas.

Legal Scholars Question Governor's Move

Law scholars say Gov. Abbott’s bid to oust Rep. Wu is unprecedented and lacks legal basis. Brian Smith, a political professor at St. Edward’s University, noted that fundraising to help pay fines is not illegal because the money isn’t going into any individual candidate’s treasury.

“This is part of the optics, it’s not really bribery,” Smith said. “It’s finding a wealthy donor to help defray your cost … which is allowed in Texas.”