Texas Senator Is Subpoenaed Over Fund Use

A grand jury probing charges of misuse of funds issued a subpoena Friday for Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex.).

Hutchison, who was elected to fill Lloyd Bentsen’s seat after he was appointed Treasury secretary by President Clinton, was ordered to appear Thursday, a court official said.

The grand jury probe began five days after Hutchison won a landslide victory in June over Democratic challenger and interim U.S. Sen. Robert Krueger. The investigation centers on the possible misuse of state employees and equipment for personal and political tasks, Travis County Dist. Atty. Ronald Earle said.

Hutchison also is under investigation for allegedly violating the Texas Open Records Act and obstruction of justice when she was state treasurer from January, 1991, through the Senate election, Earle said.

Two former state employees, including a daughter of former Texas Gov. John B. Connally, testified before the grand jury and have said publicly that they were required to do personal and political chores for Hutchison.

Hutchison denounced the investigation Friday in comments before the subpoena was issued, calling the probe a political sham by Democrats, including Earle.

“I think that the way that this has been conducted is truly outrageous,” Hutchison said. “I think the Democrats are scared that I will be at the top of the ticket. They are turning to character assassination.”