The facts of the convoluted Craddick/King/Craddick money transactions were recounted in the TEC decision and are even clearer in a Lone Project report released in May of last year. By all appearances King served as a pass-through, funneling money from Tom Craddick to help Christi Craddick in her hotly contested 2012 Republican Primary race for Railroad Commissioner.
King Dodged a Bullet
Phil King took the fall and was fined $1,000 by the TEC for a reporting violation. King dodged a bullet, though, by avoiding the more serious finding of coordinating to covertly make a contribution on behalf of Tom Craddick.
Essentially, King is playing the fall guy by pleading incompetence and ignorance to the TEC, admitting his failure to report the violation while denying an improper pass-through. While the timing and amounts of the transaction make the pass-through obvious, the TEC agreed to settle with King saying there was “no direct evidence” proving intent and coordination.
Culture of Corruption Reinforced
Phil King getting fined by the TEC is no surprise. His disregard for ethics law and procedure is confirmed by his efforts to pass what was dubbed a “Corruption Protection Act” during the most recent legislative session. Some may have forgotten, though, that Tom and Christi Craddick were involved in another sleazy insurance transaction just a few years ago.
Our sitting Attorney General Ken Paxton is under prosecution for felony crimes. New state contracting scandals have been revealed and follow corruption uncovered at the Texas Enterprise Fund and the state cancer research center. While smaller in scale, the Craddick/King episode further illustrates the culture of corruption that has evolved under one-party Republican control in Texas.
