Dewhurst gives prosecutors files related to finances
He says records show his reports on wealth comply with state lawBy CLAY ROBISON
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau
A complaint filed in Travis County says
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is illegally hiding personal financial information.
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is illegally hiding personal financial information.
AUSTIN — Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said Wednesday he has voluntarily provided Travis County prosecutors with documents showing that the way he reports his personal wealth complies with state law.
Travis County Attorney David Escamilla is investigating a complaint that Dewhurst is using a trust to illegally hide details of his assets and business ties from public disclosure.
Dewhurst, in an interview, said he hasn't been subpoenaed but has given the county attorney documents "to prove that I have followed the law and there is no substance to the complaint."
At issue is Dewhurst's identification of most of his assets, which are worth millions, as the David Dewhurst Trust in his state filings rather than individually listing them.
Texans for Public Justice, a watchdog group that frequently criticizes the current state leadership, filed a criminal complaint against the lieutenant governor with the county attorney in September.
"The Dewhurst Trust is blind to the public, but not to the lieutenant governor," TPJ Director Craig McDonald said. "One of the most powerful state officials should not be allowed to hide his assets from the public."
Escamilla has said he is reviewing the complaint.
State law requires an officeholder or candidate to disclose the source of any income worth more than $500 a year. Failure to do so is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a $2,000 fine and 180 days in jail.
Dewhurst said his income sources in the trust are commingled. So he doesn't know how much income each is producing.
"I have filled out my ethics (financial disclosure) form for 10 years exactly the way my lawyer recommended. I have no knowledge of assets in the trust earning more than $500 in income," he said. "I have shown the county attorney documentation to prove that."
Dewhurst formed his trust after reporters and political opponents researched his finances during his 1998 race for land commissioner. Aides at that time described it as a blind trust. Dewhurst's ownership in Falcon Seaboard Holding Co., which he founded before seeking public office, isn't mentioned in his statements.
The reports also have never disclosed that the holding company has owned Falcon Seaboard Ranches, which in turn owned the Snaffle Bit Ranch near Fredericksburg. The ranch was sold in 2006.
Dewhurst's trust is listed on his reports under the category, Trust Income of $25,000 or more. He has checked the "Unknown" box for "assets from which over $500 was received.
clay.robison@chron.com
