Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is seeking to have Robert “Beto” O’Rourke jailed, accusing him of blatantly defying a court order that barred him from fundraising for Texas House Democrats who fled the state to break quorum.
In a motion for contempt filed in Tarrant County, Paxton argues that O’Rourke knowingly violated a temporary restraining order by continuing to raise money and cover personal expenses for the lawmakers, just hours after a judge explicitly banned him from doing so.
“Robert Francis flagrantly and knowingly violated the court order I secured that prevents him from raising funds and distributing any more Beto Bribes,” said Paxton. “He’s about to find out that running your mouth and ignoring the rule of law has consequences in Texas. It’s time to lock him up.”
At a public event in Fort Worth the day after the order was issued, O’Rourke told the crowd, “There are no refs in this game, fuck the rules,” a comment Paxton cites as proof of his “vulgar disdain for the rule of law.” Paxton argues that O’Rourke’s wealth makes a fine meaningless, and that jail time is necessary to enforce compliance.
Under Texas law, contempt of a temporary restraining order can result in up to a $500 fine and six months in jail.
O’Rourke was sued for allegedly operating a misleading fundraising campaign through his group Powered by People, which Paxton claims falsely advertised financial support for political efforts while actually covering the personal expenses of Democrats avoiding legislative duties.
Despite a clear order to halt all fundraising and expenditures, Paxton says O’Rourke defied the court throughout the weekend by continuing to promote and operate the campaign.
“This isn’t about politics,” Paxton said. “This is about the rule of law. And if Beto won’t follow it, he should go to jail.”
