Rick Perry prosecutor hires Austin lawyer to join him
A special prosecutor handling the case against Gov. Rick Perry has hired an Austin attorney to join his team as the case nears its next court date in mid-October, the American-Statesman and KVUE-TV have learned.
David Gonzalez, a Stanford University law school graduate, will join prosecutor Michael McCrum immediately and will be paid by Travis County taxpayers.
A Travis County grand jury in August indicted Perry on felony charges of coercion of a public servant and abuse of official capacity, both felonies for which he faces up to 109 years behind bars.
The indictment stems from Perrys threat in June 2013 to Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg that he would veto $7.5 million in funding to her office if she didnt step down following her drunken driving arrest. The money was appropriated for Lehmbergs Public Integrity Unit, which investigates ethics complaints against state officials.
Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/news/rick-perry-prosecutor-hires-austin-lawyer-to-join-/nhR2h/