01/20/04 Possible Attempted Bribery of Public Officials

Reference:  Dallas Cowboy Organization Attorney for Stadium Negotiations  Dallas Morning News..1-20-2004 by Dave Michaels (staff writer)

OPEN LETTER TO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS & DALLAS CITY COUNCIL

I'm sure you remember the Salt Lake City Olympic bribery scandals with USOC Officials involved. 

The Dallas Morning News, 1-20-2004, story describing how an attorney who represents the Dallas Cowboys in Stadium negotiations offered Super Bowl tickets to County Commissioners sounds like attempted bribery of public officials no matter how the tickets were channeled.

I do not see a clear arm's length transaction here.  I do see a conflict of interest.

Attempts to influence public officials through expensive gifts can be construed by the courts to be "FELONY" bribes (as a couple of former Dallas City Council representatives can testify).  

This recent incident whereby a Dallas County Commissioner accepted high value tickets to the Super Bowl offered by a Dallas Cowboy organization attorney "takes the cake".  It is not a surprise to many of us who witness that type of behavior on a daily basis.

This event is perhaps not the only attempt our County will hear about as the gerrymandered Stadium election process transpires.  It is good that The Dallas Morning News found the story and printed it.  Let's hope that there will be no more incidents such as this as the "Jones" tax issue is voted upon.

This incident is thoroughly disgusting to Dallas County taxpayers (who did not get free Super Bowl tickets offered to them).  I happy to hear only one Commissioner accepted this gratuitous offer from the Cowboys' representative. 

Isn't the Commissioner's Court after the Sheriff for accepting a few lunches?

Rad Field
District 11, Dallas