Unreported $100,000 Loan: Ethics Commission Investigation on Fullen’s Campaign Finance

August 2, 2024

Here is another one.

Last month League City Mayor Pro Tem, Justin Hicks, campaign finance reports came under investigation by the Texas Ethics Commission. Hicks claimed an outstanding loan balance of $12,000 but never reported it in any previous reports. This month Jimmy Fullen is also now under investigation by the Ethics Commission for some possible violations.

As stated before half of Fullen’s donations in Feb of 2024 were in the form of a personal loan of $100,000 yet in the next campaign finance report that loan was gone. There was no sign the loan was paid off. It just looked like a way to pad his campaign account to look like it brought in over $200,000 for the period.

There are other strange loans and reporting but the $100,000 loan stands out. Fullen now has 10 days to respond to the complaint. As the letter to Fullen states:


 The TEC accepts jurisdiction over these allegations. This does not mean that the TEC has found that a violation occurred. It means that the sworn complaint meets the TEC’s legal and technical form requirements for accepting jurisdiction. 


Texas Republican Leaders: Promises, Problems, and Power Failures

August 1, 2024

You would think that Texans would have figured this out by now.

In 2021 Texans endured days without power, living in freezing temperatures after the failure of the electricity grid. In 2024 Harris County residents endured days without power, sweating through their sheets after a failed response to Hurricane Beryl. Now the republican leaders, the very individuals who were partially responsible for the failures, are riding in shooting their mouths off, talking tough, and promising to solve the problem they created.

According to the Houston Chronicle State Senator Paul Bettencourt came to the Committee on his white wing horse spewing fire about a problem he created:

State Sen. Paul Bettencourt raised the specter of fraud in CenterPoint’s selection of a small, little known company to provide the generators rather than a well-established company with a much cheaper bid. Bettencourt, R-Houston, condemned what he portrayed as the overcharging of ratepayers in fiery comments Monday morning in the first meeting of the Texas Senate’s Special Committee on Hurricane and Tropical Storm Preparedness, Recovery and Electricity. 

This isn’t new for Republicans in Texas. In 2003 they deregulated electricity resulting in a fragile grid, higher rates, and a need for $12,000 generators. They reformed insurance resulting in a crisis of rising rates and premiums. Both of these issues are now being investigated by the House and Senate with Republicans leading the way as if they had nothing to do with the very problems they created.

Lucky for republicans Texans are pretty stupid voters. Instead of demanding a fix to the electric grid they cash in their retirement and buy a $12,000 generator. Instead of demanding insurance companies pay claims and reduce premiums they are satisfied with less coverage in exchange for lower premiums.

We’ve seen this before. In 2023 they passed bills that passed on the cost to fortify the Texas grid to the consumer. Expect them to do this again in 2025. Why? Because we will let them.


Galveston County Sheriff Candidate Could Face Felony Investigation

July 30, 2024

This is some serious shit folks. Jimmy Fullen, candidate for Galveston County Sheriff, should ask Hunter Biden what happens when you falsify a government document.

Jimmy Fullen has some serious ethical issues that will be addressed after the election. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) has scheduled a hearing concerning Fullen’s falsifying government documents, a charge that could end with the revocation of his law enforcement license and possible felony charges. The allegations are serious and well documented at https://www.therealtruejimmyfullen.com.

Do yourself a favor. Go peruse https://www.therealtruejimmyfullen.com. It’s not just a list of very serious allegations, it is a list with supporting documentation. It is no wonder why the TCOLE issued the following statement after their investigation:

Specifically, Respondent omitted, failed to disclose, or provided false or untruthful information related to job experience, having been disciplined at work, having been fired or asked to resign from a place of employment, having been accused of discrimination, having been the subject of a written complaint at work, having failed to make or been late on a court-ordered payment, having been part of a civil lawsuit, and failing to disclose two arrests.

In other words, he falsified a government document with the intent to harm someone, that being his primary candidate, and that is a felony. So where is the Galveston County District Attorney? These are very serious allegations about a candidate for the Chief law enforcement officer of the county. Lucky for Fullen the DA is a republican, has announced his retirement, and will probably give him a pass just like all the other elected officials who have endorsed him.

If Fullen’s last name was “Biden” the DA would have been all over him like a republican candidate for president on a porn star.


League City Council Votes to Disband Ethics Review Board

July 29, 2024

You just can’t make this stuff up.

League City Council voted to disband their Ethics Review Board. They should soon update their website to reflect this. Last month they were considering gutting their Code of Ethics including removing “Conducting themselves with integrity”. You can see the red lines here but here are a few tidbits:

  • Removes section titled “Rules of ethical conduct”.
  • Removes limitation on gifts to city officials
  • Removes the entire complaint process against city officials.
  • Removes the ethics review panel

League City will now resort to using the services of the Texas Ethics Commission which only addresses violations of campaign finance law like padding your campaign finance reports with fake loans. Other violations could be addressed by the County District Attorney but they only pursue criminal offenses.

I’m sure they justified this as a way to save money.


Law (breaking) and (dis) order in Galveston County. Jimmy Fullen

July 28, 2024

There is a serious ethical issue with the republican nominee for Galveston County Sheriff, Jimmy Fullen, but lucky for Fullen he is a Republican.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) has recommended to revoke the law enforcement license of Galveston County Constable Jimmy Fullen for omitting his multiple records of misconduct on an official document. (His record of misconduct is available at https://www.therealtruejimmyfullen.com) If the full board agrees, Fullen will not be able to hold the office of Sheriff. The republican controlled TCOLE has agreed to a hearing with Fullen after the election leaving voters in the dark. All of this sounds so familiar.

Jimmy isn’t the only republican candidate or office holder with ethical, illegal, and immoral challenges. The top law enforcement officer, Ken Paxton, was impeached by the Texas House with overwhelming evidence of breaking the law. (Go read the official allegations and watch the hearings) Luckily his republican buddies in the Senate acquitted him, including local Senator Money Mayes Middleton. The civil suit against Paxton, which prompted this impeachment, will now continue guarantying another embarrassing display of evidence for all to ignore and a massive settlement which the taxpayers will pay.

Fullen has a long list of elected officials who are willing to ignore his lies and omissions on an official document just like they ignored Hunter Biden who was convicted on providing false information on official documents. (LOL. They actually cheered Biden’s conviction) They also have given a pass to those who beat up cops, incite a riot, steal classified documents, conspire to disrupt a government proceeding, and falsify documents.

This is the new Republican Party. The party that talks a great game about “law and order” and looks the other way when their buddies break the law but demand order from others.


League City Mayor Pro Tem’s Loans Under Investigation by the Ethics Commission

July 26, 2024

WTF? If you can’t follow the law you shouldn’t be trusted with upholding the law.

Justin Hicks, the League City Mayor Pro Tem, has received a letter from the Texas Ethics Commission regarding his disclosure of a $12,000 loan to his campaign. (you can read it here) Regrettably, there’s no evidence of such a loan appearing in any of his campaign finance documents since his candidacy for Council. However, he does acknowledge two loans totaling $900 and $600, which he accurately reported, indicating he’s aware of his actions. Additionally, his wife serves as the campaign treasurer.

The reason behind this action remains unclear. It seems illogical. In his most recent report, he managed to raise no funds and has a balance of $0 Cash On Hand. Yet, he has recorded a $12,000 outstanding loan. Should he have used campaign funds for this loan, he could have settled it by reporting the transaction promptly. The Ethics Commission is typically harsh on candidates or officials caught inflating their accounts with fictitious loans or donations, taking such matters very seriously.

This issue is not unique to Hicks. Candidate for Galveston County Sheriff, Jimmy Fullen, reported a personal loan of $100,000 in his February report, just before the primary elections. Subsequently, this loan vanished from his records without any repayment. Such actions are illegal under the Texas Ethics Commission’s regulations.

If one is unable to comply with the law, it raises questions about their ability to uphold it. It’s a matter of common cents.


Rashida Tlaib, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and the Politics of Spectacle

July 25, 2024

Yesterday in the halls of Congress the tensions were tense. Members of “The Squad,” led by Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, took center stage when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a visit, welcomed by Republican members like a royalty. While some Democrats chose to walk out or remain silent, Tlaib opted for theatrics, brandishing a sign that read “War Criminal.”

Her blatant performance echoed a past when Marjorie Taylor Greene donned a Trump hat during the State of the Union. Instead of choosing silence or diplomacy, Tlaib embraced spectacle—a moment meant for serious discussion turned into a sideshow, diverting attention from critical issues such as winning in November.

As an outsider witnessing this clash, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated. The far left, with its fervent calls for extreme change—Medicare for All, the Green New Deal—seemed more intent on stunts than substantial policy work. After forty years of debating Medicare for All, they could muster just twenty cosponsors for their 2023 bill. A dismal show.

Tlaib’s actions only solidified perceptions of extremism, just as Greene’s antics did. In a time when unity was essential, it felt like the squad was more focused on headlines than healing. I welcome a Congress that prioritized progress over performance—a plea for maturity amidst the chaos, for a future where meaningful dialogue could thrive over mere spectacle.


Raising Campaign Cash: Jimmy Fullen

July 23, 2024

Hum….is financial support drying up?

Jimmy Fullen, candidate for Galveston County Sheriff has raised $66,125 as reported in his July campaign finance report. He has spent a huge amount of $100,871 leaving him a balance of $23,521. His total haul of $66,125 includes $42,250 of his own money, a $10,000 donation from Joel Caldwell leaving only $13,875 from other donors.

In his previous report, filed in February, he listed over $71,000 in loans from two individuals. His latest report does not account for these loans. His personal loan of $100,000 reported prior to February was removed without noting if it was paid off. His loan disclosures need to be addressed by the Ethics Commission.

Large contributions have all dried up. Nothing from Tillman Fertitta or Senator Mayes Middleton and others. Of the $181,570 raised in his Feb report $159,059 came from just 9 donors. Maybe they are concerned about the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement revoking his law enforcement license. The TCOLE unanimously voted to recommend revocation. His hearing is set after the election. If the TCOLE revokes his license he will not be able to serve as Sheriff.

If you are interested in the details visit https://www.therealtruejimmyfullen.com.


Not Satire: Republicans could defund the Texas Ethics Commission

July 23, 2024

Seriously. It’s not satire.

Every six years, on a staggered schedule, every Commission in Texas is subjected to a “Sunset Review”. This review includes a self evaluation of the Commission and public comments, resulting in a bill that addresses the needed improvements to guarantee the Commission is performing per law. Here is the catch. If that bill fails to pass, the Commission fails to continue.

The Texas Ethics Commission is under Sunset Review and will be addressed in the 2025 legislation session. As per The Texas Tribune the Commission has no authority to collect fines and late fees. Instead they can only refer the individual/PAC to the Texas Attorney Generals office of Collections. This office has done little besides sending threatening letters to those who refuse to pay. Case in point, Harris County Department of Education Trustee Eric Dick who owes $40,000 and has refused to pay.

Since Paxton took office in 2015, the ethics commission has referred 2,500 unpaid fines to the attorney general for enforcement, the Tribune found. During that time, Paxton’s office has filed just 175 enforcement lawsuits, or 7% of the cases referred to it. Most occurred early in his tenure. After filing none in 2020 and 2021, the attorney general’s office brought 18 cases in 2022, 25 last year and just one so far in the first six months of 2024.

Because of this inaction elected officials just ignore the Commission and refuse to pay. In all the Commission is owed $3.6 Million. I’ve seen this before. The Republicans will now blame the Commission and will fail to pass the bill preserving the Commission instead of giving them the power to collect the debt.

Public comments are due by August 15, 2024. You can provide comments here.


League City Residents: Reflections on Jan 6 and Political Violence and Silence

July 22, 2024

Guess who was silent about the violence.

It’s just amazing how much hypocrisy the Republican Party can tolerate. Mayor Pro Tem Justin Hicks said absolutely nothing about the violence on Jan 6 which had no place in our country but he had to weigh in on his lord and savior Donald Trump. After Jan 6 he didn’t ask if the families of those who died defending the Capitol were ok. League City residents should be so proud.


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