Texas ethics regulators are cracking down on a loophole in a revolving-door lobbying law that was used earlier this year by former state Rep. Chris Paddie, potentially exposing the former lawmaker to fines.
over his client list, which includes some of the power companies he was previously tasked with scrutinizing as a committee chair following the 2021 grid failure.
The commission can issue advisory opinions either in response to a complaint or on its own initiative. Its executive director, J.R. Johnson, said Thursday that the commission chose to explore the issue on its own after media reports about Paddie’s lobbying and multiple inquiries to the commission. But appearing before the commission Thursday, Paddie’s lawyer, Ross Fischer, acknowledged that the facts in the opinion are “directly analogous” to Paddie’s situation and revealed that a complaint was filed against Paddie on Jan. 30. He did not say who filed the complaint, and the commission does not publicize or otherwise comment on complaints until they are resolved.
“It has always been Mr. Paddie’s intent to comply with the law and we continue to maintain that he took appropriate action to ensure compliance,” Fischer said in a statement after the commission meeting. “As I indicated at this morning’s Ethics Commission meeting, Mr. Paddie has had a sworn complaint filed against him. Fortunately, that process affords him due process and the opportunity to explain his efforts to comply with the law.
Fischer added that he and Paddie would “seek formal guidance from the Commission on how Mr. Paddie can best comply with this new opinion.”“The Legislature was very clear that this was the behavior they were trying to prohibit and that there was no cure because the goodwill from the contribution — the benefit of it has already been received,” said the commission’s vice chair, Randall Erben.Perhaps it goes without saying — but producing quality journalism isn't cheap.
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