Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a contempt motion Tuesday against former congressional candidate Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke, alleging he violated a court order by continuing to raise funds for Democratic legislators who fled the state to break the legislative quorum. The filing seeks penalties that could include jail time.
The contempt motion follows a temporary restraining order issued Friday by Tarrant County Judge Megan Fahey prohibiting O’Rourke from raising or distributing funds for the lawmakers.
Paxton’s office alleges O’Rourke defied the order less than 24 hours later.
According to a press release from the Attorney General’s office, O’Rourke told a Fort Worth crowd after the order was issued that “there are no refs in this game, f*** the rules.”
The Attorney General’s filing describes O’Rourke’s continued fundraising as showing “vulgar disdain for the rule of law” and argues his “immense personal wealth” makes imprisonment necessary to ensure compliance.
“Beto told me ‘to come and take,’ so I did and beat him in court,” Paxton said in the press release. “Now, he still thinks he’s above the law, so I’m working to put him behind bars.”
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, O’Rourke’s political group Powered by People has faced scrutiny over bribery claims tied to its fundraising for quorum-breaking lawmakers. The Attorney General’s lawsuit alleges the group misrepresented the purpose of donations and directed funds to benefit specific legislators.
The contempt filing is connected to Paxton’s lawsuit filed Friday, in which he alleged O’Rourke, through Powered by People, operated a “misleading and fraudulent scheme” to raise funds for lawmakers. Hours after the suit was filed, the court issued the restraining order.
O’Rourke’s team has disputed Paxton’s allegations. In a statement, a spokesperson for O’Rourke said he is complying with the law and described Paxton’s actions as politically motivated.
The contempt allegations have not been adjudicated, and O’Rourke has not been found in contempt of court. Violating the order carries penalties of up to $500 in fines and six months in jail.