saany aLDoUs sama ones JERI YENNE CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY BRAZORIA COUNTY October 24, 2019 ‘This investigation involves allegations of offcisl misconduct against Dennis Bonnea, the Texas Speaker of the House anc as such is a public matter. Given the unique public nance of these allegations and subsequentinvestgation, Ihave chosen to issue tis statement ‘Tesas law under Chapter 411 of the Government Code provides that for offenses agninst public sdmisisteation Tite 8 ofthe Texas Penal Code, o: for certain Blection Code offenses, committed by 1 ate offices, such a stte representative i connection withthe powers and duties ofthis state office, that the Texas Raxgers Public lategsity Unit, has authority to perform an investigation, Venue for any prosecution i the county of residence of the state officer which in the case of Speaker Dennis Bonnen is Sixzotia County, Texas [As the Distt Avomey with venue, the Government Code allows me to flea request to secuse ‘myself and sequest that ancther prosecuting attomey from another caunty be appointed, That is not the right ching to do. Distict Auomeys ste elected to make tough decisions, Passing this responsibilty to another Distt Attorney wonld only cause unde delay for many months and another District Attomey would be in no better postion to make a decision, (On August 12, 2019, the House General Investigating Committee requested the ‘Texas Rangers Public Integrity Unit to conduct an investigation into the actions of Spealer Bonnen regutding June 12, 2019 meeting with Speaker Bonnen, Michael Quinn Sullivan and Repecsentaive Dustin ‘Burrows which occurred in Speaker Bonnen’s Office at the Texas Capita. The allegations segasding the Jone 12, 2019 meeting are that Speaker Bonnen offered conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan media credentials for Mr, Sullivans oxpanization in exchange for Me. Sulivans ozpaniation politically tapering a lst of certain specific Republican House Members in the upcoming 2020 lection, ‘This mised he issue of whether Speaker Bonnen committed certain offenses under Tide 8 of the ‘Texas Penal Code, sch as Bribery or the misdemeanor charge of Solicitation of a Gift by 2 Public Servant As a follow up to the Legilative Committee request, on August 13, 2019 I made a prosecutotial request to the Texas Rangess Public Integrity Uni to conduct a criminal investigation as is allowed by the Texas Government Code. This request was made to ensure there would be an investigation conducted by the Public Integrity Unit which ie «competent, premic, well espected and eminently ‘qualified law enforcement investigative unit independent of Berzoria County. Tt was anticipated that the complete investigation would be forwarded to my office to determine whether ot not criminal conehict oceused andl whether ot not prosecution is wartanted based upon the evidence gathered ‘coun court 8 LOCUST, UIT OH, ANGLETON, TEXAS 785 eon A Hope Howtos en Cini ion aca Dt oats (om buis cane ‘omy ‘oeFor aver two months, the Public Integrity Unit has conducted a detailed, thorough and extensive ‘avestigation ito she ccumstances of the June 12, 2019 mectng and any alleged violations of Tide 8 of the Texas Penal Code ot any other offenses specified under Chapter 411 of the Texas Government Code. Duting this over two month tine period, my Fit Assistant and I met on multiple occasions with investigators fom the Public Integrity Unit and zepulaly communicated and coordinated with the Pubic Integrity Unit regarding this investigation. The investigation is complete “The investigation has consed of conducting numerous witness interviews, collection of supporting documentation, obtsining writen and recorded statements and collecting. physical evidence inching the recording ofthe June 12,2019 meeting ‘The accuracy of the June 12, 2019 recording has been scientifically authenticated. Additionally Michael Quinn Sullivan has veifed the accuracy of the recording and Speaker Bonnen as well a¢ Representative Burrows hive verified thei voices on the recording and the statements made by them. After xeviewing the complete investigation of the Public Integrity Unit, the following aze my ‘conclusions ‘The behavior and statements as reflected on the June 12, 2019 recording for which Speaker Bonnen ‘nas apologized are offensive, lacking in character and inteprity, demeaning to other human beings ‘nclading local government oficial, cies and counties, and the Members of the Texas House of Representatives who place theiz confidence in Speaker Bonnen and are ented to his rxpect. As a Criminal District Attorney with civil jurisdiction, T am also the attorney for Brazovin County. ‘Throughout chs sate, Tesans live in cities and counties and are served by local pubic servants whose goal is to eter the lives of thei citizenry, communities and Texas, which benefits us all, ‘The disparaging statements of Speaker Bonnen about local goverment officials, cites and counties and the satements of Representative Burtows indicating hie batred of cities and counties and his Intent harm lol government in the newt Legislative Session ae diseppointing and distatbing. ‘As repugnant as Speaker Bonnen’s actions and statements are, [do not believe thexe is sufficient evidence from the Jone 12,2019 meeting to warrant criminal prosecution of Speaker Bonnen for [Bnbery ot Solicitation ofa Gift by a Public Servant, thetefore no eximinal charges will be brought I want to express my appreciation to the Texas Rengess Public Inseprity Unit for thei reless work ‘on this investigation and foe their professionalism. 1 anticipate upon this decision this invesdgation will now be delivered to the House General Investignting Committe for an apptopriate review. A copy of this sttemect may also be found’ on the Brazoria County website sww:brzorcomntytxgoy under Departments, District Attorney Page out ie asa eres Fi Dis mye omar esse 1 ‘sac ‘Gout