Montgomery County Monitor (Montgomery County, TX) - Several members of the Splendora Independent School District (SISD) Board of Trustees have received notices of complaints from the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC). According to the July 6, 2007 TEC notices, board members David Duke, Rex Fry, Gary Gardner and Mattie McKee allegedly failed to file appropriate campaign finance reports in violation of the Election Code. Additionally, Edward Smith, also a member of the SISD board, allegedly filed an incomplete campaign finance report.

All original complaints met the technical form requirements and it was determined that indeed the TEC does have jurisdiction over the alleged violations.

The TEC stated all the aforementioned complaints will be processed as Category One violations. 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.

The original complaints were filed by Pete Goeddertz, a resident of Montgomery County, Texas.

Penalties handed out by the TEC for violations are civil in nature and can vary widely.

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

Texas Ethics Commission
TEC Response to Complaint - Duke
TEC Response to Complaint - Gardner
TEC Response to Complaint - McKee
TEC Response to Complaint - Fry
TEC Response to Complaint - Smith
Texas State Election Code