Magnolia, Texas (Montgomery County Monitor) – David Hill, Montgomery County Precinct 5 Constable, recently agreed to pay a $500 civil penalty to the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC).According to the Agreed Order and Resolution available on the TEC’s web-site, Hill was accused of numerous campaign finance violations. The accusations stemmed from information contained in Hill’s 2006 and 2007 campaign finance reports.
The resolution states, “The respondent [Hill] neither admits nor denies the facts described [within]… and consents to the entry of this order and agreed resolution solely for the purpose of resolving this sworn complaint.”
Jim Doyle of Conroe, Texas made the original complaint.
Alleged violations included improperly filling out complete addresses of contributors, not providing names of some contributors as well as not providing the purpose of a political expenditure.
In addition, the resolution stated Hill agreed that two of three allegations of accepting corporate contributions turned out to be true, but he swears he was not aware of the nature of the contributions at the time.
Hill distinctly remembers asking at least one of the contributors if their donation was a corporate donation. The reply to the question by the contributor was, “No.”
According to state statutes, knowingly accepting contributions from a corporation is a third degree felony.
Hill stated he regarded this issue as a learning experience saying, “I never [knowingly] violate the law…I will be more careful.” Hill also said he was unaware that complete addresses were required for contributors.
“Not a year goes by that I don’t learn something new,” he said.
Hill also conveyed, if Mr. Doyle would have made him aware of the possible campaign violations, he would have immediately corrected the problem and the $500.00 civil penalty could have been used for a scholarship instead.
In response to this statement, Doyle said, “It is not just that the $500 went up in smoke, it went back to [the State] ensure we have honesty in government.”
“We could all use it [money] for something else..that is not really a valid argument,” Doyle said.
Precinct 5 covers the southwestern corner of Montgomery County, Texas and includes Magnolia and the surrounding area.
Penalties handed out by the TEC for violations are civil in nature and can vary widely.
The TEC was created in 1991 by an amendment to the Texas Constitution. Some of the TEC responsibilities include administration and enforcement of the following:
Title 15 of the Election Code including political campaigns and contributions.
Chapter 305 of the Government Code including lobbyist reports and activities.
Chapter 572 of the Government Code including personal financial disclosure and conduct of state officers and employees.
Related Information
Constable David Hill – TEC Resolution – Civil Fine
Campaign Finance Reports – David Hill – Constable Pct 5 – 2006 – 2007
