Texans for a Republican Majority

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Texans for a Republican Majority or TRMPAC is a political action committee founded by Republican Texas U.S. Rep. and former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

TRMPAC is an acronym for 'Texans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee'.

1 History
2 Lawsuit
3 Indictments
4 See also
5 External references

[edit] History

TRMPAC, which was originally formed by Tom DeLay (R-Sugar Land) and several of his close associates, was created with the goal of electing a Republican majority in the Texas State Legislature during the 1994 elections. Since 1994, the year Republicans took control of Congress, ARMPAC has contributed nearly $4.2 million to Republican congressional and presidential candidates.[1]

[edit] Lawsuit

A lawsuit brought against TRMPAC and Bill Ceverha as Treasurer brought by five Democratic candidates resulted in a court order to pay $196,600 in damages and attorney fees. Ceverha later stated that the case had cost him in excess of $850,000. Ceverha subsequently filed for bankruptcy. The case against the other two parties named in the suit, John Colyandro and Jim Ellis has been stayed pending the outcome of criminal charges against them.

Ceverha was later criticized for refusing to reveal the amount of a gift received from GOP donor Bob Perry despite holding a state post requiring a description of gifts under the state ethics laws. Ceverha claimed that the disclosure law was satisfied by describing the gift as 'check'.[2]

[edit] Indictments

Currently, several key members, lobbyists and officials associated with the organization are under indictment by a grand jury for felony violations of state campaign finance laws such as applying corporate campaign contributions (which may be used only for administrative expenses) to political campaigns. In September 2002, TRMPAC donated $190,000 to the Republican National Committee, which within days sent $190,000 raised from individuals to seven GOP House candidates.[3][4]

James W. Ellis, the committee's director, has been indicted for money laundering in connection with this investigation. In addition, Americans for a Republican Majority head Jim Ellis and John Colyandro, former executive director of Texans for a Republican Majority, were both charged in September 2005 with violating Texas election law and criminal conspiracy to violate the election law.

Preston, Gates, Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds, reportedly lobbied for at least one donor to Texans for a Republican Majority, and also contributed $25,000 to TRM itself. It has been reported that former DeLay aide Michael Scanlon worked on the Preston Gates account for the firm making the donation, Burlington Northern. [5]

Warren Robold, a national Republican fundraiser who solicited money for TRMPAC from several of the indicted corporations, faced nine third-degree felony charges of 'making and accepting' prohibited corporate contributions.[6]

Under Texas law, corporate donations may be used in state campaigns for administrative costs such as clerical needs or rent, but not for any purpose that might be used to influence voters.