Q: What do you get when you mix together an area political office of enormous power, an entrenched incumbent who’s been running his little part of the fiefdom for what seems like forever without much challenge or scrutiny, and a newspaper that doesn’t cover local with much in the way of resources or tenacity?
A: A whopping $75,000 fine, according to the Chron‘s Mike Tolson:
The Texas Ethics Commission has imposed a $75,000 fine on Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole for violations of campaign finance laws.
[snip]
Eversole said he signed what is known as an “order and agreed resolution” so as to dispose of the state’s review of his finances, which began with a series of stories by television station KTRK. Among the issues raised then were campaign money used to pay for collectible firearms, golf outings and vacation trips.
“I have accepted responsibility for the past errors and used it as an opportunity to completely revamp our campaign finance disclosure practices,” Eversole said in a prepared statement. “I am pleased to have put this TEC inquiry behind me, and am ready to move forward.”
Disposing of the TEC, as Eversole put it, may turn out to be much easier than putting off the FBI, which is reportedly investigating Eversole’s political finances. Indeed, Eversole predicted last year that the FBI investigation would force him from office.
People interested in Eversole’s job seem to be gearing up to make a run for it. As the Houston Politics blog has noted, Houston City Councilmember Toni Lawrence is apparently getting her residence in order for a possible run. And Dan Patrick political associate Court Koenning is reportedly trying to round up supporters. Other names have been tossed about as well.
UPDATE: We would be remiss if we didn’t link to Wayne Dolcefino’s commentary on the fine.
BLOGVERSATION: Lose an Eye, It’s a Sport, Red Ink: Texas.
