Key dates leading to indictment of Texas’ Perry

The Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A timeline of developments leading up to Friday’s indictment of Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry on charges that he abused the powers of his office by carrying out a threat to veto funding for state prosecutors investigating public corruption:

April 12, 2013 — Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg, an elected Democrat, is arrested on charges of drunken driving. A jailhouse video shows her verbally berating officers.

April 19, 2013 — Lehmberg pleads guilty. She’s sentenced to 45 days in jail and serves about half that time.

April 27, 2013 — Lehmberg writes open letter saying she wants to finish her term.

June 10, 2013 — The Austin-American Statesman publishes story saying that Perry intends to veto $7.5 million in funding for state Public Integrity Unit unless Lehmberg resigns.

June 14, 2013 — Perry vetoes funding.

June 26, 2013 — Left-leaning watchdog group Texans for Public Justice files formal complaint against Perry that alleges abuse of power over veto threat.

July 8, 2013 — Perry announces he won’t seek re-election after 14 years in office.

July 15, 2013 — Judge is appointed to oversee investigation into complaint.

April 14 — Special grand jury is seated to investigate.

Aug. 15 — Grand jury indicts Perry on one count abuse of official capacity and one count of coercion of a public servant. Both are felonies and carry possible prison sentences.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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