Texas Gov. Rick Perry Indicted for Abuse of Official Powers
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ABC/Matthew Putney(AUSTIN, Texas) — Texas Gov. Rick Perry was indicted on Friday by a grand jury in Travis County, Texas, on accusations that he abused his official powers.
The indictment was announced by Special Prosecutor Michael McCrum on Friday night. The indictment document lists two charges, abuse of official capacity and coercion of a public servant. Perry, the indictment claims, improperly vetoed funding for the Public Integrity Unit of the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.
Perry allegedly vetoed the funding after District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg, refused to resign following a DWI conviction.
Perry’s General Counsel Mary Anne Wiley released a statement on his behalf on Friday, saying that “the veto in question was made in accordance with the veto authority afforded to every governor under the Texas Constitution.” The statement also noted that Perry plans to defend his “lawful and constitutional action.”
Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro, of Texas’ District 20, was quick to call for Perry’s resignation following the indictment.
For the sake of Texas, Governor Perry should resign following his indictment on two criminal felony counts involving abuse of office.
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) August 15, 2014
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