Texas Democrats who fled could face felony bribery charges, governor says
Abbott said that groups funding the AWOL Democrats 'raises a serious legal question' whether it 'would be a bribe that could lead to a felony charge.'
By Peter Pinedo Fox News
Published August 13, 2025 3:23pm EDT
Texas Democrats who fled the state to break quorum and disrupt redistricting efforts could face felony bribery charges, Republican Governor Greg Abbott suggested in an interview with Fox News Digital.
As some AWOL Democrats are reportedly planning to return in time for a second special legislative session to begin next week, Abbott told Fox News Digital that the state is looking into whether they violated laws against bribery by taking money to break quorum.
"There had been some identification of some people paying for it," Abbott explained. "I've got to tell you, it raises a serious legal question for these officeholders, and that is, they were promised money if they did break quorum. That would be a bribe that could lead to a felony charge."
According to Abbott, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, also a Republican, is investigating whether the Democratic lawmakers could be hit with felony bribery charges.
"That also is something that the Texas attorney general is investigating and actually even got a temporary injunction from a court stopping any more money being given to these House members because of the potential bribe consequences," the governor explained.
This comes after Tarrant County District Judge Megan Fahey handed down a temporary restraining order last Friday against Robert Francis "Beto" O'Rourke and his group, Powered by People, over alleged "unlawful fundraising practices" tied to efforts to support Texas Democrats who fled the state — including funding air travel, lodging, logistics and daily fines.
Fahey's order bars O'Rourke or his group from continuing to fundraise or provide financial support to the fleeing Texas Democrats.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/texas-democrats-who-fled-could-face-felony-bribery-charges-governor-says
