Texas state Rep. Mary Denny (R), chairwoman of the Texas House Elections Commission, has introduced legislation that could stop Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle’s investigation of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s (R-Texas) political operation.

Denny’s bill would establish a special office in the Texas Ethics Commission with the power to stop district attorneys from prosecuting violations of the state’s ethics code. BNA Money & Politics Report reported the potential threat to Earle’s investigation yesterday.

The legislation would require district attorneys to notify the special office of alleged violations before taking any action. The special office would have 45 days to review alleged violations and could prevent prosecution if after conducting its own investigation it determined the allegations to be unfounded.

District attorneys could only pursue a criminal prosecution if the office concluded an offense had been committed. The bill would take effect Sept. 1.

Fred Wertheimer, the president of Democracy 21, a government watchdog group based in Washington, immediately condemned the proposal as an attempt to shield DeLay from possible indictment.

“The Texas legislative scheme appears to be yet another blatant and irresponsible effort to shut down an enforcement process that could encompass House Majority Leader Tom DeLay,” said Wertheimer.

If indicted, DeLay would be required by House Republican Conference Rules to step down as majority leader.

Posted by: Jonathan Singer / 8:32 PM | Basie! Home