Bell wins $2 million in suit over 2006 Perry donations
The Houston Chronicle
September 1, 2010
A state district judge on Tuesday awarded Chris Bell, the 2006 Democratic nominee for governor, $2 million in his lawsuit against the Republican Governors Association after ruling the group violated state law with a pair of last-minute $500,000 donations to GOP Gov. Rick Perry that year.
"I think it's a victory for transparency. That's what the whole case was always about. That's why we have election laws, so the public will know the source of contributions. We always felt this was a rather clear attempt to hide the real source of that contribution," said Bell, who earlier this year got a $426,000 settlement from Perry's campaign to remove the governor from the lawsuit over the $1 million in donations.
Perry campaign spokesman Mark Miner had no comment on Tuesday's ruling, saying Perry no longer is part of the case.
Republican Governors Association spokesman Mike Schrimpf said the group will appeal the decision by state District Judge John Dietz.
"Today's ruling is just one step in a four-year political lawsuit brought by Democrat trial lawyer and failed gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell," Schrimpf said. "We believe the judge ruled incorrectly and are confident we will win on appeal, which we will file immediately. Unfortunately, this junk lawsuit has gone on for four years, and to the Democratic trial lawyers' dreams, will likely go on two or three more. The good news is that it won't divert from our efforts to win in Texas or any other state this cycle."
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