GOP gunslinger and Texas law-man, Rick Perry has found himself in some hot water. The Republican governor has been indicted by a federal grand jury on two felony counts Friday. Looks like he was using his office to bully and coerce public officials inline.
The indictment came from a jury in Travis County and is comprised of two charges: abuse of official capacity and coercion of a public servant or voter.
After Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg, Democrat, was arrested and pled guilty to drunk driving in 2013, Rick Perry turned and pushed for Lehmberhg to resign. Perry did this by vetoing the $7.5 million in funding that would have gone to the Public Integrity Unit in Lehmberg’s office.
“Despite the otherwise good work (of) the Public Integrity Unit’s employees, I cannot in good conscience support continued state funding for an office with statewide jurisdiction at a time when the person charged with ultimate responsibility of that unit has lost the public’s confidence,” Perry said at the time.
Other GOP show horses have taken the opportunity to come out and voice their support of Perry in the matter. Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R) has voiced his support of Perry via his Facebook Page:
“… I am proud to stand with Rick Perry.”
Of course he is.
Like most Republicans, they’re at their proudest and most “patriotic” when they flex their authority over others.
According to the Associated Press, if Perry is convicted, he stands to potentially serve 5 to 99 years for the abuse of official capacity and 2 to 10 years for the coercion of a public servant. The indictment means that the grand jury has decided there is enough evidence to bring Ring Perry to trial.
Joshua is a writer and researcher with Ring of Fire. You can follow him on Twitter @Joshual33.
