Opponents of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst are blasting his effort to free a jailed relative following an arrest of shoplifting.
Dewhurst made the Aug. 3 telephone call to a suburban Dallas police sergeant and in the audio Dewhurst identifies himself, asks the sergeant what was needed to free his niece. He offered to have the director of the Department of Public Safety call as well and asked for a judge's cellphone number.
The lieutenant governor also bragged about his past endorsements from law enforcement groups.
Dewhurst spokesman Travis Considine says Dewhurst "acted as a concerned family member." Dewhurst told the police office to follow procedure.
But the Texas Democratic Party and Republican state Sen. Dan Patrick and Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples say Dewhurst abused his power.
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