Date: 2024-07-17 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00021832
MONEY IN POLITICS
TEXAS, USA
Energy Transfer co-founder follows through on threat to sue Beto O'Rourke for calling him out
TEXAS, USA
Energy Transfer co-founder follows through on threat to sue Beto O'Rourke for calling him out
Original article: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/3/8/2084503/-Beto-O-Rourke-sued-for-defamation-by-Energy-Transfer-s-Abbott-loving-co-founder-Kelcy-Warren
Burgess COMMENTARY
The Citizens United decision by the US Supreme Court has done untold damage to American democracy, and very difficult to change because of the power of money in politics that has been anabled by the Citizens United decision.
Money in politics has become more influential than legislative substance and the interests of the general public.
A lot of ordinary people have given up on democracy as it was meant to be, and simply go about their lives in the hope that they will get by. Frankly, I am 'mad as hell' because there has been more than 40 years of ordinary people in the United States losing household wealth while in this same period a few at the top of the pyramid have done very very well. Most of the economic pie is owned by a few at the top and most of the population owns almost nothing ... in fact on a net basis, less than nothing.
Fighting against the people with power is difficult ... and very expensive. The energy industry in Texas has been corrupt for a very long time ... but the corruption is possible because of the way the law works ... or doesn't!
Peter Burgess
April Siese ... Daily Kos Staff
Tuesday March 08, 2022 · 10:37 AM EST
PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 25: Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke speaks to college students and faculty during a rally at Prairie View A&M University on February 25, 2022 in Prairie View, Texas. O'Rourke visited Prairie View A&M University to rally with students and faculty as a part of his campaign trail ahead of the Texas Primary Election. O'Rourke launched his campaign on November 15, 2021 where he announced his run in the 2022 Texas gubernatorial race against Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
The Democratic candidate for Texas governor rightfully called out companies like Energy Transfer LP and its co-founder, CEO Kelcy Warren, for making massive donations to Gov. Greg Abbott
On Monday, Texas gubernatorial candidate and former Rep. Beto O’Rourke revealed that Energy Transfer LP and Executive Chairman Kelcy Warren had sued him for “defamation, slander, and libel”—specifically because of O’Rourke’s comments connecting Warren’s love for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to the staggering profits the oil tycoon’s company pocketed during the 2021 winter storm that left more than 200 people dead in Texas. Speaking during a press conference, O’Rourke said that he’d been “directly threatened” by Warren over the course of the past few weeks.
“As I was meeting with you all over the course of February I began to get letters from Kelcy Warren’s attorney telling me that I had to back off this story,” O’Rourke said. “I had to stop connecting the dots or else there would be consequences. I chose not to back down… We have now learned that he is following through on his threat and he is going to try and take me to court, use his billions of dollars to try to shut me down and shut us up.” That suit, filed in San Saba County court, refers to O’Rouke as a “failed politician” and takes shots at the Democrat for holding Warren and his ilk accountable.
Energy Transfer’s VP of Corporate Communications issued a statement regarding the lawsuit, taking shots at the candidate just as the lawsuit does. “Beto O’Rourke clearly hasn’t read or doesn’t understand the lawsuit filed personally by Kelcy Warren,” Vicki Granado said. “Mr. Warren is not interested in barring Mr. O’Rourke from talking about the winter storm. That is the right of every Texan and every American. What Mr. Warren is interested in stopping are the irresponsible, defamatory, and highly offensive statements by Mr. O’Rourke related to his donation to Gov. Abbott’s campaign. This is also the right of every Texan and every American to contribute to the campaigns of candidates they support without being defamed in the process.”
It’s worth noting that Warren donated $1 million to Abbott—and he wasn’t the only oil and gas bigwig to do so. While O’Rourke received just $41,380 from the energy industry, Abbott’s campaign pocketed $7.8 million. In all, 11 energy companies and industry giants showered nine politicians with cash, including Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Speaker Matthew “Dade” Phelan, Sen. Kelly Hancock, Sen. Charles Schwertner, Sen. Chris Paddie, Rep. Craig Goldman, Sen. Bob Hall, and Sen. Robert Nichols. The Texas Tribune notes that energy companies like Centerpoint, NRG, and Vistra and their executives donated double the amount typically seen the year prior to candidates with a vested interest in keeping polluters powering the state.