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Grand Jury In Perry Ethics Case

Former Texas Governor Rick Perry (R)

A grand jury is being seated in an investigation into whether Republican Gov. Rick Perry abused his power by vetoing funding for public corruption prosecutors.

Special State District Judge Bert Richardson began impaneling jurors Monday in Austin.

The investigation began after Perry vetoed $7.5 million in funding last summer for a public integrity unit under Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg.

Perry called on Lehmberg to resign after the Democrat was convicted of drunken-driving. When she refused, Perry pulled state funding for the unit.

Richardson hired a special prosecutor to investigate following a complaint from a public watchdog group.

Perry spokeswoman Lucy Nashed said the governor hired a defense attorney. But she said the facts ultimately will show that the governor was within his rights to veto any bill.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.