Craddick paid legal fees during probe, avoided indictment

December 16, 2005

Craddick paid legal fees during probe, avoided indictment

AUSTIN Republican Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick paid his lawyer more than 75-thousand dollars from his campaign fund in his bid to avoid indictment in the investigation that led to criminal charges against U-S- Representative Tom DeLay.

Craddick cooperated with prosecutors and was never indicted in the long-running investigation. Now he can't face indictment because the legal time limit for charges stemming from the 2002 election has run out. That's according to Craddick's attorney, Roy Minton.

Using campaign funds for attorney fees is not illegal. But watchdog groups questioned the practice.

Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle did not comment today.
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Texas Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick

isn't it?

And "legal" is whatever they can get away with.

1. Does Earle plan to use Craddick as a witness against DeLay?

2. Why is this information coming out now, when it known was some time ago?

3. Could Tom DeLay had paid his attorney $75,000 or more to avoid indictment?

What kind of special animal is Tom Craddick?