| ► State Rep. Dennis Bonnen of Angleton; scofflaw; moron |
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Texas State Rep. Dennis Bonnen of Angleton; scofflaw; moron
Unfortunately, Rep. Dennis Bonnen was elected to the 25th District in 1996.
Section 253.035 of the Texas Election Code prohibits a candidate or officeholder from converting campaign contributions to his/her personal use.
Furthermore, Ethics Advisory Opinion No. 104 issued on Dec 10, 1992 states: “Legislators may not use political contributions to pay laundry and dry cleaning expenses incurred in Austin.”
Despite these prohibitions, Rep. Dennis Bonnen illegally used campaign funds to pay to have his suits cleaned in early 2007 as set forth below.
Rep. Dennis Bonnen also used campaign funds to purchase “food” and undisclosed “necessities for an apartment he rented in Austin as shown below.
As the result of Rep. Dennis Bonnen’s illegal conduct, the Watchdawg filed a complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission in February 2008.
On June 10, 2008, the Texas Ethics Commission met to consider the complaint I filed in February 2008. “The commission determined that there is credible evidence of violations of section 253.035(a) of the Election Code [converting political contributions to personal use.” On June 26, Rep. Dennis Bonnen admitted he was a scofflaw and agreed to the Commission’s findings of guilt.
In cementing his status as a certified moron, Rep. Dennis Bonnen claims that he “misunderstood the restriction” on using campaign funds to pay for dry cleaning expenses incurred in Austin.”
Rep. Dennis Bonnen’s I.Q. appears to be lower than the legal speed limit for semis on I-10 in the downtown Houston area since Ethics Opinion No. specifically states “Legislators may not use political contributions to pay dry cleaning expenses incurred in Austin.” What part of “may not use” did Rep. Dennis Bonnen have difficulty in understanding?
In a sworn statement, Rep. Dennis Bonnen said the purchases of necessities for his Austin Apartment “were reasonable household expenses incurred in maintaining a residence in Travis County.” Rep. Dennis Bonnen went on to testify that “he purchased food to entertain legislators, staff, and others in connection with his role as a candidate and officeholder.” Rep. Dennis Bonnen characterized them as “political guests.”
It seems a little odd to me that the Texas Ethics Commission didn’t demand the receipts from Target and Wal-Mart so that everyone would know exactly what “necessities” Rep. Dennis Bonnen purchased. For all we know he bought toothpaste, laundry detergent, toilet paper, dishwasher soap and other sundries that would be totally illegal. Is it possible that the Texas Ethics Commission (unlike a real investigator) just ignored the obvious? Hmmm, maybe it’s really not a “search for the truth” if ya know what I mean. Or as State Senator John Whitmire would say, “It be none of your damn bidness Mr. California Man!
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