EAO-483. The Texas Ethics Commission has been asked to consider whether an officeholder may use political contributions to contribute to a trust fund for the benefit of an individual for payment of that individual's medical and other supplemental needs. (AOR-546)
SUMMARY
Under the circumstances described in this opinion, an officeholder may not use political contributions to contribute to a trust fund established for the benefit of an individual for paying that individual's medical and other supplemental needs because such a use would constitute a personal use of political contributions in violation of section 253.035(a) of the Election Code.
The Texas Ethics Commission is authorized by section 571.091 of the Government Code to issue advisory opinions in regard to the following statutes: (1) Chapter 572, Government Code; (2) Chapter 302, Government Code; (3) Chapter 303, Government Code; (4) Chapter 305, Government Code; (5) Chapter 2004, Government Code; (6) Title 15, Election Code; (7) Chapter 159, Local Government Code; (8) Chapter 36, Penal Code; (9) Chapter 39, Penal Code; (10) Section 2152.064, Government Code; and (11) Section 2155.003, Government Code.
Questions on particular submissions should be addressed to the Texas Ethics Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-2070, (512) 463-5800.
TRD-200901517
Natalia Luna Ashley
General Counsel
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: April 22, 2009