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Texas Governor Rick Perry indicted for abuse of power | Texas Governor Rick Perry indicted for abuse of power |
(about 21 hours later) | |
The governor of the US state of Texas, Rick Perry, has been charged by a grand jury with abusing his powers of office. | The governor of the US state of Texas, Rick Perry, has been charged by a grand jury with abusing his powers of office. |
A special prosecutor said there was evidence the Republican had broken the law by using a funding veto in a bid to force a local prosecutor to resign. | A special prosecutor said there was evidence the Republican had broken the law by using a funding veto in a bid to force a local prosecutor to resign. |
The potential presidential hopeful was investigated for cutting funds to a state anti-corruption unit run by District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg. | The potential presidential hopeful was investigated for cutting funds to a state anti-corruption unit run by District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg. |
He becomes the state of Texas's first indicted governor in nearly a century. | He becomes the state of Texas's first indicted governor in nearly a century. |
Governor Perry, who has been in office since the year 2000, says he has violated no laws. | Governor Perry, who has been in office since the year 2000, says he has violated no laws. |
The 63-year-old faces two counts of abuse of power and coercion related to his decision to veto $7.5 million (£4.5 million) in funding for the Public Integrity Unit run by the office of the Travis County district attorney last year. | The 63-year-old faces two counts of abuse of power and coercion related to his decision to veto $7.5 million (£4.5 million) in funding for the Public Integrity Unit run by the office of the Travis County district attorney last year. |
Lengthy possible sentences | Lengthy possible sentences |
Governor Perry "with intent to harm another, to-wit, Rosemary Lehmberg and the Public Integrity Unit of the Travis County District Attorney's Office, intentionally or knowingly misused government property," the indictment read. | Governor Perry "with intent to harm another, to-wit, Rosemary Lehmberg and the Public Integrity Unit of the Travis County District Attorney's Office, intentionally or knowingly misused government property," the indictment read. |
Ms Lehmberg, a Democrat, had earlier pleaded guilty to drink driving charges, but had rejected Governor Perry's calls to resign. | Ms Lehmberg, a Democrat, had earlier pleaded guilty to drink driving charges, but had rejected Governor Perry's calls to resign. |
"The veto in question was made in accordance with the veto authority afforded to every governor under the Texas Constitution," the governor's general counsel said after the announcement was made. | "The veto in question was made in accordance with the veto authority afforded to every governor under the Texas Constitution," the governor's general counsel said after the announcement was made. |
Rick Perry: From Democrat to Republican | |
• March 1950: Born in Paint Creek, Texas | |
• 1972: Graduated from Texas A&M University | |
• 1972-77: Spent five years in the US Air Force | |
• 1984: Entered political life when elected to the Texas House of Representatives as a Democrat | |
• 1988: Chairman of the Al Gore campaign in Texas | |
• 1989: Joined Republican Party | |
• 1998: Lieutenant Governor of Texas | |
• 2000: Texas Governor under GW Bush presidency | |
• 2013: Announces retirement from the governor's position | |
• 2014: Indicted by grand jury on charges of abuse of power | |
Profile: Rick Perry | |
"We will continue to aggressively defend the governor's lawful and constitutional action, and believe we will ultimately prevail," Mary Anne Wiley added. | "We will continue to aggressively defend the governor's lawful and constitutional action, and believe we will ultimately prevail," Mary Anne Wiley added. |
The special prosecutor, Michael McCrum, called up numerous witnesses to argue his case that the governor had broken the law. | The special prosecutor, Michael McCrum, called up numerous witnesses to argue his case that the governor had broken the law. |
Announcing his veto in 2013, Governor Perry said of the Public Integrity Unit: "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." | Announcing his veto in 2013, Governor Perry said of the Public Integrity Unit: "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." |
The Texans for Public Justice, which filed a complaint in the case, said "the grand jury decided Perry's bullying crossed the line into law breaking". | The Texans for Public Justice, which filed a complaint in the case, said "the grand jury decided Perry's bullying crossed the line into law breaking". |
Abuse of office can carry punishments of between five to 99 years in prison, while coercion of a public servant carries sentences ranging from two to 10 years. | Abuse of office can carry punishments of between five to 99 years in prison, while coercion of a public servant carries sentences ranging from two to 10 years. |
Governor Perry is the longest-serving governor in the state's history. | Governor Perry is the longest-serving governor in the state's history. |
His recent movements between key Republican battleground states is seen by analysts as laying the groundwork for a possible presidential run in 2016. | His recent movements between key Republican battleground states is seen by analysts as laying the groundwork for a possible presidential run in 2016. |
Mr Perry announced that he would retire from the Texas governor's office instead of seeking a fourth term in July 2013. | Mr Perry announced that he would retire from the Texas governor's office instead of seeking a fourth term in July 2013. |
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