Montgomery County Monitor (Montgomery County, TX) - The Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) received a sworn complaint dated March 21, 2007 from Montgomery County resident, Tom Curry. The complaint alleged that Mr. John W. Wiesner, Campaign Treasurer for Friends of North Harris Montgomery Community College District (NHMCCD), had violated portions of the state Election Code. The complaint met the technical form requirements and it was determined that indeed the TEC does have jurisdiction over the alleged violations.

The alleged violations included failing to timely file a committee semiannual campaign finance report and failing to give written notice to three candidates that the committee had accepted political contributions or made political expenditures in support of the candidates.

The Commission stated the complaint will be processed as a Category One violation. According to state statutes, a complaint is classified as a Category One violation if it is generally not difficult to ascertain whether the violation occurred or whether it did not occur. Category One violations require a response from the accused within 10 business days.

Penalties for violations are civil in nature and may not be more than $5,000 or triple the amount at issue, whichever is more.

It is believed that a final disposition of this complaint has not yet been determined.

The TEC was created in 1991 by an amendment to the Texas Constitution. Some of the TEC responsibilities include administering and enforcing the following:

Title 15 of the Election Code including political campaigns and contributions.
Chapter 305 of the Government Code including lobbyist reports and activities.
Chapter 572 of the Government Code including personal financial disclosure and conduct of state officers and employees.


Related Information

NHMCCD Web-site
Texas Ethics Commission
TEC Response to Complaint - Wiesner