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Contempt charges sought against Bush | page 1, 2

The court filing is the latest development in the influence-buying scandal whirling around SCI that is now being referred to as "Formaldegate." On Monday, the Texas comptroller of public accounts, Carole Keeton Rylander, a Republican, announced that her agency was taking over the day-to-day operations of the TFSC, which has been foundering ever since May was dismissed from the agency on Feb. 8. Rylander was asked by Bush to intervene at the tiny agency, which is supposed to have 10 employees. Just four employees are currently working at the TFSC, which regulates 1,200 funeral homes in Texas. Three employees from the comptroller's office are expected to stay at the TFSC for several weeks.

The comptroller's move was applauded by SCI spokesman Bill Miller, who said the company is eager to resolve the fines that have been levied against it. "All we've ever said is we want our case processed," Miller said.

In her lawsuit against the state, May blames her dismissal on SCI, which has given tens of thousands of dollars to various state politicians who allegedly intervened on the company's behalf. Since 1996, Bush's gubernatorial campaign has received $35,000 from SCI's political action committee. In 1994, when Bush was running for governor, Waltrip gave him $10,000. In addition, Waltrip is a close friend of Bush's father, former President George Bush.

In their motion seeking a contempt sanction, May's lawyers claim Bush made false statements in his affidavit to avoid being deposed. "Plainly, such egregiously improper conduct subverts the judicial process and undermines our system of justice," says the motion, which asks the court to find Bush in contempt, order him to appear for deposition within 21 days and impose a fine against him.

A hearing on the motion to quash the subpoena is scheduled in Travis County District Court on Aug. 30.
salon.com | August 18, 1999

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Robert Bryce is a staff writer for the Austin Chronicle.

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