Natalie Weber
@wordsbyweber.bsky.social
Fort Bend County reporter for @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social
11/ Also want to shout out @lmcgaughy.bsky.social who pitched this story idea to me and helped me learn a bit more about the ethics commission
February 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
11/ Also want to shout out @lmcgaughy.bsky.social who pitched this story idea to me and helped me learn a bit more about the ethics commission
10/ Three new justices have been elected to the court since the ruling was issued. It remains to be seen how they’ll way in on the case.
“I think a lot of it’s going to play out in court over time,” Andrew Cates, an ethics law attorney, said.
“I think a lot of it’s going to play out in court over time,” Andrew Cates, an ethics law attorney, said.
February 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
10/ Three new justices have been elected to the court since the ruling was issued. It remains to be seen how they’ll way in on the case.
“I think a lot of it’s going to play out in court over time,” Andrew Cates, an ethics law attorney, said.
“I think a lot of it’s going to play out in court over time,” Andrew Cates, an ethics law attorney, said.
9/ Attorney Chad Dick – who represents KP George – thinks the ruling protects the accused from false allegations that can be used as a “political cudgel.”
“To be quite honest, I think it’s a good thing that the Texas Ethics Commission looks through everything first” he said.
“To be quite honest, I think it’s a good thing that the Texas Ethics Commission looks through everything first” he said.
February 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
9/ Attorney Chad Dick – who represents KP George – thinks the ruling protects the accused from false allegations that can be used as a “political cudgel.”
“To be quite honest, I think it’s a good thing that the Texas Ethics Commission looks through everything first” he said.
“To be quite honest, I think it’s a good thing that the Texas Ethics Commission looks through everything first” he said.
8/ Ft. Bend DA Brian Middleton says this is how the ruling can tie prosecutors’ hands.
"When we’re working on short timelines, it’s important that we have what's guaranteed by the Texas Constitution, which is the full discretion with criminal prosecution," he said.
"When we’re working on short timelines, it’s important that we have what's guaranteed by the Texas Constitution, which is the full discretion with criminal prosecution," he said.
February 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
8/ Ft. Bend DA Brian Middleton says this is how the ruling can tie prosecutors’ hands.
"When we’re working on short timelines, it’s important that we have what's guaranteed by the Texas Constitution, which is the full discretion with criminal prosecution," he said.
"When we’re working on short timelines, it’s important that we have what's guaranteed by the Texas Constitution, which is the full discretion with criminal prosecution," he said.
7/ When the DA didn't hear back in time from the ethics commission, prosecutors moved forward with criminal charges against George.
George’s attorney argued that the judge’s due process rights had been violated under the Charette ruling:
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/new...
George’s attorney argued that the judge’s due process rights had been violated under the Charette ruling:
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/new...
Attorney files motion to dismiss criminal case against Fort Bend County Judge KP George | Houston Public Media
The motion argues that prosecutors did not have the authority to indict George before the Texas Ethics Commission ruled on the case.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
February 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
7/ When the DA didn't hear back in time from the ethics commission, prosecutors moved forward with criminal charges against George.
George’s attorney argued that the judge’s due process rights had been violated under the Charette ruling:
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/new...
George’s attorney argued that the judge’s due process rights had been violated under the Charette ruling:
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/new...
6/ Shortly after the Charette ruling, Fort Bend County Judge KP George was accused of faking racist attacks against his own campaign.
Prosecutors delayed his indictment until the last day under the statute of limitations.
They were waiting on a referral from the commission.
Prosecutors delayed his indictment until the last day under the statute of limitations.
They were waiting on a referral from the commission.
February 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
6/ Shortly after the Charette ruling, Fort Bend County Judge KP George was accused of faking racist attacks against his own campaign.
Prosecutors delayed his indictment until the last day under the statute of limitations.
They were waiting on a referral from the commission.
Prosecutors delayed his indictment until the last day under the statute of limitations.
They were waiting on a referral from the commission.
5/ Still, some DAs across the state are worried about the impacts of the ruling.
It’s already been invoked in at least one criminal case.
It’s already been invoked in at least one criminal case.
February 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
5/ Still, some DAs across the state are worried about the impacts of the ruling.
It’s already been invoked in at least one criminal case.
It’s already been invoked in at least one criminal case.
4/ Just after the Charette opinion was issued, the ethics commission passed an emergency rule allowing commissioners to bypass comprehensive reviews of ethics complaints.
Instead, they can quickly rule on whether to allow prosecution.
Instead, they can quickly rule on whether to allow prosecution.
February 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
4/ Just after the Charette opinion was issued, the ethics commission passed an emergency rule allowing commissioners to bypass comprehensive reviews of ethics complaints.
Instead, they can quickly rule on whether to allow prosecution.
Instead, they can quickly rule on whether to allow prosecution.
3/ The court agreed, giving the ethics commission the sole authority to enforce certain laws related to campaign finance, political advertising and lobbying.
February 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
3/ The court agreed, giving the ethics commission the sole authority to enforce certain laws related to campaign finance, political advertising and lobbying.
2/ Last fall, Texas’ highest criminal court threw out criminal charges against a Houston-area politician, Robbie Gail Charette.
Her attorney argued that her case should have been reviewed by the Texas Ethics Commission before she was indicted.
Her attorney argued that her case should have been reviewed by the Texas Ethics Commission before she was indicted.
February 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
2/ Last fall, Texas’ highest criminal court threw out criminal charges against a Houston-area politician, Robbie Gail Charette.
Her attorney argued that her case should have been reviewed by the Texas Ethics Commission before she was indicted.
Her attorney argued that her case should have been reviewed by the Texas Ethics Commission before she was indicted.