Posted on 02/27/2004 11:32:50 AM PST by SwinneySwitch
Seeking to identify possible unethical media leaks and wasted taxpayer dollars, Republican Party of Texas Chairman Tina Benkiser filed an open records request with the Travis County District Attorneys office.
Benkiser said she was requesting this information "because it is widely believed that Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle is engaging in a baseless, partisan witch hunt apparently designed solely to score political points by generating negative media coverage of Republicans."
"Taxpayers deserve to know how much of their money Mr. Earle is wasting on this frivolous investigation and whether he is unfairly leaking information to the media," said Benkiser.
In the past, state newspapers have accused Mr. Earle of creating the "impression of partisan unfairness" by leaking information about Republicans (Dallas Morning News, 9/28/93) and illegally releasing confidential grand jury testimony to the media (Dallas Observer, 6/23/94).
Newspaper editorials have also chided the Travis County District Attorney for "selective partisanship" (Houston Chronicle, 4/24/92); conducting investigations that are "heavy-handed", apparently "politically motivated" (DMN, 6/12/93), "horribly mishandled", on "legally shaky grounds" (HC, 2/12/94), and covered beneath a "partisan cloud" (HC, 6/13/93); and using a "double standard" for Democrats and Republicans (HC 6/13/93).
The text of Chairman Benkisers letter follows.
Dear Mr. Earle,
I am writing to request copies of all written or electronic correspondence, including but not limited to phone records, emails, letters, faxes, documents and any other available materials, to or from the Travis County District Attorneys Office and any employee of a broadcast, print, Internet or cable media outlet or wire service, in relation to your offices investigation of the 2002 elections.
I am also requesting copies of all budget records that detail how much your office is spending in taxpayer dollars to further this investigation.
Pursuant to Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code, citizens have the right to access government records in a prompt manner. I look forward to receiving your reply.
Sincerely,
TINA J. BENKISER Chairman, Republican Party of Texas
Engaging with Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle is the Austin Un-American Ultra Liberal Statesman to undermine Republicans campaigns. The Attorney and the Austin Rag have attacked any and all candidates not related to the RAT party.
Benkiser files open records request with Travis County D.A.
(Texas GOP)
Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Texas ping list!. . .don't be shy.
No, you don't HAVE to be a Texan to get on this list!
Sock it to him, Benkiser!!
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