Abbott has signed off on contracts for big campaign donor

AUSTIN — The attorney general’s office under Greg Abbott has approved more than $3 million in state contracts for a law firm that has been a generous political contributor — providing $200,000 to Abbott’s campaigns in the past 12 years.

Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson collects delinquent debts for several state agencies, including the North Texas Tollway Authority. The firm has also faced legal problems, with two partners facing criminal charges of trying to influence public officials in separate incidents.

Abbott’s office has repeatedly endorsed contracts for the law firm, but aides said there’s no conflict because other agencies initiated the agreements. State law dictates that the attorney general must approve the contracts. A spokesman for the law firm said the donations were never intended to help Linebarger win business.

In his campaign for governor, Abbott, the Republican nominee, has made ethics a priority. He has pounded his challenger, Democrat Wendy Davis, for voting as a state senator on issues that affected government agencies she worked for as a private attorney.

More at http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20140616-abbott-has-signed-off-on-contracts-for-big-campaign-donor.ece .