Attorney General Ken Paxton has obtained a temporary restraining order from a Texas district court against Robert Francis O’Rourke and his organization, Powered by People. The order stops all fundraising and expenditures that the court found to be unlawful while litigation is ongoing.
Paxton alleges that O’Rourke and Powered by People misled donors by raising funds for Democratic lawmakers who left Texas to prevent a legislative quorum, but then used the money for personal expenses rather than strictly political purposes. According to Paxton, this activity violates Texas law prohibiting organizations from engaging in false or deceptive fundraising practices.
“The Beto Bribe buyouts that were bankrolling the runaway Democrats have been officially stopped,” said Attorney General Paxton. “People like Robert believe Texas can be bought. Today, I stopped his deceptive financial influence scheme that attempted to deceive donors and subvert our constitutional process. They told me to ‘come and take it,’ so I did.”
The lawsuit was filed earlier on the same day as the restraining order was granted. The legal action accuses O’Rourke and his group of intentionally blurring the line between political fundraising and personal benefit, directing donations through platforms marketed for political causes while using them for other purposes.
A copy of the restraining order is available online.
