The Texas Ethics Commission has accepted jurisdiction over the previously reported ethics complaints lodged against Ronnie Lewis and Tommy Ervin over their involvement in the recent March 5, 2024 Republican primary elections. The submitted complaints revolve around Lewis and Ervin’s apparent use of an unregistered political action committee (PAC) during the recent election.
According to information provided to Odessa Headlines, the Texas Ethics Commission has has requested written responses from Lewis and Ervin regarding the alleged violations.
According to documents from the Texas Ethics Commission the complaint alleges that:
… on behalf of a political committee, you: 1) failed to file a campaign treasurer appointment, in violation of Section 252.001 of the Election Code; 2) failed to file campaign finance reports, in violation of Subchapter E or Subchapter F of Chapter 254 of the Election Code; and 3) accepted political contributions or made or authorized political expenditures totaling more than $1,050 at a time when a campaign treasurer appointment for the committee was not in effect, in violation of Section 253.031(b) of the Election Code. In the alternative, if you were not acting in concert with another person, the complaint alleges that you failed to report direct campaign expenditures you made in connection with the March 5, 2024 primary election, in violation of Section 254.261 of the Election Code.1
Letter from TEC dated March 11, 2024 and certified mailed to Lewis and Ervin
Lewis and Ervin “are required to respond to the allegations not later than 10 business days from the date you receive this notice. Failure to respond will constitute a separate violation for which a separate civil penalty may be assessed.“
Odessa Headlines will continue to provide updates as they become available.