July 21, 2014 3:41 PM

Updated: Ethics Commission finds MQS guilty of failing to register as a lobbyist

Agency finds that MQS and Empower Texans either lost or destroyed email evidence; maximum civil penalty of $10,000 is imposed

Note: This story has been updated throughout, including reaction from lobbyist Steve Bresnen – SB

The Texas Ethics Commission on Monday announced that the agency has found Michael Quinn Sullivan, president of Empower Texans and a spokesman for Midland oilman Tim Dunn, guilty of failure to register as a lobbyist. For that, the commission imposed the maximum civil penalty of $10,000.

The agency found, among other things, that Sullivan and Empower Texans either lost or destroyed thousands of pieces of email evidence. Commissioner said they were “left with the inescapable conclusion that Mr. Sullivan and Empower Texans have destroyed or lost thousands of emails sent to members of the Legislature during 2010 and 2011.”

“The Texas Ethics Commission unanimously finds that Mr. Sullivan, as part of his regular employment, communicated directly with members of the legislative branch to influence legislation without properly registering as a paid lobbyist,” the order said. The commission said the agency didn’t seek a contempt order against Sullivan because it would have delayed the case, however commissioners felt the fact that Sullivan was uncooperative bolstered the case against him.

By Scott Braddock