Texas will not prosecute Reed [View All]

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/stories/0327reed.html

Texas prosecutor on Monday announced he would not pursue misdemeanor criminal charges against Ralph Reed, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in Georgia, for violation of Texas lobbying laws.

Travis County Attorney David Escamilla, whose office prosecutes misdemeanors, said Reed's activities raised "legitimate" concerns, but a two-year statute of limitations prevented him engaging in a formal investigation. Travis County includes the state capital of Austin.

"There's smoke," said Escamilla. "But all of the smoke relates to a period I can't do anything about."

Reed was alleged to have lobbied state officials regarding the closing of an El Paso casino operated by an Indian tribe. Reed was paid for that effort by a competing tribe in Louisiana. The preliminary investigation by Escamilla expanded to include allegations that Reed lobbied state school board members on behalf of Channel One, a company that broadcasts educational TV programs, with commercials, into public schools.