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Authorities said Thursday that an allegation that a lobbyist spiked the cocktail of a female legislative staffer, triggering the notification of the highest levels of state government and renewing attention about treatment of women at the Texas Capitol, will result in no criminal charges.
In a joint statement, the Texas Department of Public Safety and Travis County district attorney’s office said an investigation found that “no crime occurred in this instance.”
“We have concluded that there is not enough evidence to support these allegations and that criminal charges are not appropriate,” the statement said.
Attorneys for the accused lobbyist said Thursday that their client cooperated with investigators and continues to deny the allegation.
Authorities declined to elaborate on the investigation, including how they reached their determination and whether they believe the report was falsely made. However, officials said closing the matter also includes closing any possible investigation into whether anyone broke the law in making the initial report, which is generally a misdemeanor crime.
Authorities said Thursday that an allegation that a lobbyist spiked the cocktail of a female Texas Capitol staffer, rolling the highest levels of state government, will result in no criminal charges. Ricardo B. Braziell/American-Statesman
The conclusion of the case comes about five days after the allegations roiled the Capitol, becoming a flashpoint of conversation amid the #MeToo movement, that prompted lawmakers to condemn the mistreatment of women.
House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, on Monday called for lawmakers to do more to address the issue and flatly declared that many women do not feel safe enough.
Details about the allegation had not been publicly released, including where and when it was alleged to have occurred. However, the American-Statesman reported Saturday that state leadership, including the office of Gov. Greg Abbott, had been notified about the investigation.
The Statesman is not identifying anyone involved because no one is being charged with a crime.
Department of Public Safety investigators spent the week conducting multiple interviews, including with a lobbyist for the high-profile firm HillCo Partners, which identified one of its employees as a subject of the investigation. The company on Thursday declined to discuss the status of its employee.
On Thursday, attorney Perry Minton, who represents the person who was accused, released a lengthy statement: “The story that our client drugged Capitol staffers is 100 percent false. … Our client paid lawyers, passed a polygraph and cooperated with the Department of Public Safety in an effort to clear his name. Our client is a victim in this case.”
HillCo also said in a statement Thursday that the investigators’ announcement “confirms our own internal investigation into the issue. We commend law enforcement for a forceful and swift investigation into this serious matter.”
