Gov. Rick Perry indicted on charges of abuse of power, coercion

[truebluefan]

Republican Rick Perry, becoming the first Texas governor indicted in almost a century, must spend the final five months of his historically long tenure fighting against felony charges and for his political future.

A Travis County grand jury on Friday charged Perry with two felony counts, abuse of official capacity and coercion of a public servant, after he vetoed funding for a county office that investigates public corruption.

Special prosecutor Michael McCrum of San Antonio said he felt confident in the case against Perry and was “ready to go forward.”

Perry made no statement, but his general counsel, Mary Anne Wiley, said he was exercising his rights and power as governor. She predicted he would beat the charges.

Read more http://www.dallasnews.com/news/loca...ted-on-charges-of-abuse-of-power-coercion.ece

 

[truebluefan]

Perry Indictment Seen Blemishing Final Months in Office

Texas Democrats are calling for Governor Rick Perry to resign after being indicted yesterday, while Republicans say the charges are politically motivated and won’t stop him from governing or even running for president.

Perry, a possible 2016 Republican candidate for the White House who leaves office in January after more than 13 years, faces charges of abusing his powers by vetoing money for prosecutors who investigate public corruption. An arraignment date will be set next week, said Michael McCrum, the special prosecutor in the case.

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement that Perry should step down because he “brought dishonor to his office, his family and the state of Texas,” even as Republicans and Perry’s lawyer said he was indicted “in a political prosecution” for exercising his constitutional authority.

Read more http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-08-16/perry-indictment-seen-blemishing-final-months-in-office