April 7, 2016 5:26 PM

In civil suit, Joe Basel of American Phoenix Foundation repeatedly pleads the Fifth

In newly released deposition, Basel refused to answer questions about the finances of the group that secretly filmed lawmakers at the Capitol and around Austin last year

Editor’s note: A copy of the deposition of Joe Basel is available for our subscribers at the end of this story – SB

Despite previously telling Quorum Report that he and his colleagues have nothing to hide, Joe Basel of the American Phoenix Foundation repeatedly asserted his rights under the Fifth Amendment when questioned in a civil suit aimed at exposing the group’s finances.

Basel has been sued by veteran lobbyist and attorney Steve Bresnen, who has pointed to a portion of the Business Organizations Code that says a non-profit corporation with no members must make its books available to the public upon request.

Political observers will recall that some of the foundation’s undercover videos filmed last year at the Capitol and at the W Hotel were recently used as fodder against two incumbents – Rep. Dan Huberty and Sen. Carlos Uresti – with no noticeable impact on their bids for reelection. Both won their primaries handily.

Basel’s attorney had asked a judge to prevent the deposition. But the judge sided with Bresnen and Basel was deposed on March 25. A copy of the deposition was provided to Quorum Report by Bresnen this week.

By Scott Braddock