Report: State Rep. Investigated For Alleged Improper Use Of Staff

AUSTIN, TX -- State Rep. Dawnna Dukes is the subject of an investigation stemming from allegations she required staffers to perform job duties at a non-profit event she sponsors, according to a published report.

The Texas Tribune reports that Dukes is the target of a state auditor’s probe resulting from complaints she “...required legislative staffers on the state payroll to help work on an annual event she sponsors through a nonprofit group that she founded.”

The news site based its report on a single Capitol source, who was unnamed.

The investigation reportedly follows a Jan. 14 inquiry to state House officials by the lawmaker’s former chief of staff regarding the appropriateness of having public employees work on the side project.

“I was trying to look out for two people, my co-workers and my boss, to make sure that neither of us were breaking the law,” French told the Tribune. “That’s why I went to do it. To make sure that Dukes nor the staff, including myself, were breaking the law in doing what we’re doing.”

The former aide said Dukes directed staff to to work on The African American Community Heritage Festival, an annual event she sponsors.

Dukes said she is unaware of the auditor’s investigation and does not believe state law was violated with the staffers’ work on her nonprofit project.

“I don’t receive a penny from it, my office does not receive a penny from it, my campaign does not receive a penny from it,” Dukes told the Tribune. “It is a community event.”

Dukes subsequently responded to French’s claims in a Friday night posting on Facebook.

Dukes represents District 46, which encompasses East Austin and Northeast Travis County. Among her appointments, she serves as vice chair of both the Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee and the Committee on Ethics.

>>> Photo courtesy of Texas House of Representatives