Burr assailed for donations from Texas businessmen

The Democratic Party is calling on Republican Sen. Richard Burr to return $9,600 in campaign contributions from two leading executives of a Texas-based tax firm being prosecuted for deceptive trade practices.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott charged TaxMasters and Chief Executive officer Patrick Cox with violating the state's consumer protections law, after receiving more than 1,000 complaints from customers who said they had been deceived or lost money.

Cox and Alex Clamon, the company's vice president, both donated $4,800 to Burr's re-election campaign during a Houston fundraiser in February, reports Rob Christensen. They have also contributed to many other Republican candidates.

“These individuals have been charged with stealing money from hard-working families,” said Andrew Whalen, the state Democratic Party's executive director. “They've used that ill-gotten money to fund racing teams and Senator Burr's campaign. It's despicable. Burr should immediately return the $9,600 he's received from the management of this firm to show that he does not condone this type of consumer fraud.”

The Burr campaign however, was not inclined to act immediately.

“We still live in an America where people are innocent until proven otherwise,” said Samantha Smith, Burr's campaign spokeswoman. “And if found guilty, the contributions will be returned.”

“Given the North Carolina Democratic Party's track record of donors, they are in no position to make such claims and should hold themselves to the same standard,” Smith added.