AUSTIN, Texas, May 20 (UPI) -- The lead prosecutor in a high-profile Texas campaign finance investigation is under attack for remarks he made about the case at a Democratic fundraiser.
The Republican state chairman has urged Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle to resign because of the speech, the Austin American-Statesman reported Friday.
Earle, a Democrat, has charged three associates of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, with violating state campaign finance laws in 2002. DeLay has not been charged in the case.
In a speech to the Dallas fundraiser last week, Earle referred to the investigation in a speech about government corruption. He made one reference to DeLay in his eight-page text, the American-Statesman reported.
"This case is not just about Tom DeLay," he told the group. "If it isn't Tom DeLay, it'll be another one, just like one bully replaces the one before."
State GOP Chairman Tina Benkiser said it was "laughable" for Earle to call himself an unbiased prosecutor.
"Ronnie Earle's political motives are transparent. He is tainted, and he should resign," she said.
Earle waved off the criticism, saying it was a speech he would give to any group, Republican or Democrat.
