Emails, Zac Petkanas, communications director, Wendy Davis campaign, Aug. 25-28, 2014
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Wendy Davis for Governor <press@wendydavistexas.com>
Date: Mon, Aug 25, 2014 at 8:56 AM
Subject: Davis Launches New TV Ad Calling Out Greg Abbott For Siding with Insiders, Donors At Expense Of Texas Cancer Patients
To: zpetkanas@wendydavistexas.com
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On Mon, Aug 25, 2014 at 3:02 PM, Selby, Gardner (CMG-Austin) <wgselby@statesman.com> wrote:
Why did you include this story?
3:12 p.m.
Aug. 25, 2014
As a cite that Kalon Biotherapeutics received money from CPRIT.
Zac Petkanas
Communications Director
Wendy R. Davis for Governor
@Zac_Petkanas
On Mon, Aug 25, 2014 at 4:30 PM, Selby, Gardner (CMG-Austin) <wgselby@statesman.com> wrote:
What’s the shower of gifts and vacations the ad references?
4:39 p.m.
Aug. 25, 2014
It's in the fact check below
San Antonio Express-News: "Lavish gifts a perk for Attorney General Greg Abbott" [Editorial, San Antonio Express-News, 3/01/14]
Abbott Accepted At Least Three Free Trips From Recipient Of A $12 Million CPRIT Award. In March 2014, the San Antonio Express-News reported, "Abbott and his family have been on the receiving end of more than 30 personal gifts - many from high-powered donors and influential movers and shakers - during his term as Texas' chief lawyer...[James] Leininger...paid for Abbott and his family's travel and accommodations on three separate occasions between 2008 and 2010, according to the filings." The Houston Chronicle reported, "Leininger's company, Caliber Biotherapeutics, received $12 million from the cancer agency [CPRIT] for a scientific proposal despite receiving low scores from reviewers." [San Antonio Express News, 3/01/14; The Houston Chronicle, 7/28/13]
On Aug 25, 2014, at 5:01 PM, "Selby, Gardner (CMG-Austin)" <wgselby@statesman.com> wrote:
The man in the ad says Abbott’s biggest donors/CPRIT beneficiaries showered him with gifts and free travel. Leininger is the evidence, correct?
5:11 p.m.
Aug. 25, 2014
Ah. Yes.
On Mon, Aug 25, 2014 at 5:21 PM, Selby, Gardner (CMG-Austin) <wgselby@statesman.com> wrote:
No other donors, no other particular gifts.
6:07 p.m.
Also...
Steve Hicks, Vice Chairman Of The University Of The Texas Board Of Regents, Gave Abbott The Gift Of A “Travel Guide Membership.” According to the San Antonio Express-News, “Steven Hicks, vice chairman of the University of Texas Board of Regents, has donated $193,000 to Abbott and, along with his wife, Donna, gave the gift of a ‘travel guide membership’ in 2009.” Hicks was appointed to the Board in 2009. [The University of Texas System, Vice Chairman R. Steven Hicks; MD Anderson Cancer Center Profile; San Antonio Express-News, 3/01/14]
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center received a $25.2 Million Grant From CPRIT In 2010; Transferred Award To CTNeT. According to the State Auditor, “The Statewide Clinical Trials Network of Texas (CTNeT) received a $25.2 million research grant from CPRIT even though CTNeT did not exist at the time the grant was awarded. The CTNeT grant was the largest single grant that CPRIT had awarded as of June 2012. CPRIT originally awarded the grant to the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in June 2010. Subsequent to the award, CTNeT was formed and registered to become a Texas-based non-profit company in August 2010 and CPRIT executed a grant agreement with CTNeT in September 2010. It is unclear what allowed CPRIT to transfer the award from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to CTNeT. CPRIT also did not have documentation to support that the scientific review council recommended the original application for a grant.” [An Audit Report on Grant Management at the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and Selected Grantees, January 2013]
On Tue, Aug 26, 2014 at 8:49 AM, Selby, Gardner (CMG-Austin) <wgselby@statesman.com> wrote:
Is Davis saying Hicks got a cancer grant?
8:56 a.m., Aug. 26, 2014
MD Anderson Cancer Center did, which is part of the UT system. However, you'll note that's not part of the fact check we sent in the release. You just asked for additional gifts and I'm trying to give you as much information as possible. However, the ad specifically refers to Leininger
Zac Petkanas
Communications Director
Wendy R. Davis for Governor
@Zac_Petkanas
On Tue, Aug 26, 2014 at 9:29 AM, Selby, Gardner (CMG-Austin) <wgselby@statesman.com> wrote:
The ad says donors who got the funds in question showered Abbott with gifts and travel. You’re saying, as before, this means Leininger only. Yes?
9:39 a.m.
Aug. 26, 2014
Yes, Leininger is the example.
On Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 11:28 AM, Selby, Gardner (CMG-Austin) <wgselby@statesman.com> wrote:
Zac:
Good morning.
I’m following up here with questions about the CPRIT ad. I’d be happy to hear back by email or phone.
Greg Abbott had a designee attend CPRIT meetings and, as you may know, his seat was one of 11 oversight committee slots, meaning he wasn’t CPRIT’s sole overseer. The AG’s office later helped Travis County gather information in advance of the CPRIT staff member’s felony indictment. The county’s district attorney said in January 2013 no board members were under investigation.
Separately, I have yet to confirm Leininger owned or had a stake in the Bryan-College Station company that got a grant. Aside from the Chronicle news story, does Davis have such evidence? The Dallas Morning News identified a Dallas man as the company’s owner.
Beyond the Leininger element, did any other Abbott donors have connections to entities drawing questionable grants and also shower him, as the ad says, with gifts or vacation trips? Please specify.
I hope to complete our review soon.
g.
W. Gardner Selby
PolitiFact Texas
Austin American-Statesman
12:21 p.m.
Aug. 28, 2014
First, the ad doesn't say he was the "sole" overseer. It says he was "charged" with oversight.
Second, the ad never makes mention of an investigation, felony indictment or Abbott's role in either. It says Abbott was on the oversight committee, that his donors got tens of millions in grants without proper oversight and that Abbott was showered with gifts from donors who got grants.
Other stuff below. Let me know if you have any other questions.
1. Greg Abbott Was Charged With Overseeing CPRIT
Abbott Was On The Oversight Committee For The Cancer Prevention & Research Institute Of Texas. In May 2014, The Dallas Morning News reported, “As attorney general, Abbott held a seat on the oversight board for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.” [The Dallas Morning News, 5/06/14]
CPRIT’s Website Listed Abbott As A Member Of The Oversight Committee. In May 2013, The Dallas Morning News reported, “Abbott said he doesn’t consider himself to be a member of the oversight committee because he picked a staff member. CPRIT, however, lists Abbott as a member on its website, with a picture of him and an extensive biography.” [The Dallas Morning News, 5/13/13]
Oversight Committee Charged With Making CPRIT’s Final Grant Decisions. According to a December 2012 editorial in the Austin American, “Final grant decisions are made by CPRIT's 11-member oversight committee. Nine of the committee's members are appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and Texas House speaker.” [Editorial, Austin American-Statesman, 12/22/12]
2. Leininger’s Investment Firm Is The Sole “Institutional Investor” In Caliber Biotherapeutics.
Leininger’s Investment Firm Is The Sole “Institutional Investor” In Caliber Biotherapeutics. Caliber Biotherapeutics’s website lists MedCare Investment Funds as the company’s sole institutional investor. James Leininger founded MedCare Investment Funds, according to MedCare’s website. [Caliber Biotherapeutics’ Website, Institutional Investors; MedCare Investment Funds’ Website, The Team]
3. Steve Hicks, A Major Abbott Donor, Gave Gift To Abbott; Connected To CPRIT Award To CTNeT That Had No Scientific Review
Steve Hicks, Vice Chairman Of The University Of The Texas Board Of Regents, Gave Abbott The Gift Of A “Travel Guide Membership.”According to the San Antonio Express-News, “Steven Hicks, vice chairman of the University of Texas Board of Regents, has donated $193,000 to Abbott and, along with his wife, Donna, gave the gift of a ‘travel guide membership’ in 2009.” Hicks was appointed to the Board in 2009. [The University of Texas System, Vice Chairman R. Steven Hicks; MD Anderson Cancer Center Profile; San Antonio Express-News, 3/01/14]
Hicks Founded Capstar Partners; Serves As Executive Chairman. According to Capstar Partners’ website, “R. Steven ‘Steve’ Hicks serves as Executive Chairman of Capstar Partners, LLC. Capstar Partners participates in small and middle market buyouts, real estate development, and public investing. Since 2000, Capstar has invested in a broad range of industries including media and broadcasting, healthcare services, e-commerce, financial services and real estate.” [Capstar Partners]
Partner At Capstar Served On The Board At CTNeT. John Cullen serves as a partner at Capstar Partners, according to the company’s website. Cullen was on the board of the directors at CTNeT. [Capstar Partners; CPRIT Foundation, 7/27/11]
CPRIT Awarded University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer CenterA $25.2 Million Grant In 2010; CPRIT Transferred The Award To CTNeT.According to the State Auditor, “The Statewide Clinical Trials Network of Texas (CTNeT) received a $25.2 million research grant from CPRIT even though CTNeT did not exist at the time the grant was awarded. The CTNeT grant was the largest single grant that CPRIT had awarded as of June 2012. CPRIT originally awarded the grant to the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in June 2010. Subsequent to the award, CTNeT was formed and registered to become a Texas-based non-profit company in August 2010 and CPRIT executed a grant agreement with CTNeT in September 2010. It is unclear what allowed CPRIT to transfer the award from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to CTNeT. CPRIT also did not have documentation to support that the scientific review council recommended the original application for a grant.” [An Audit Report on Grant Management at the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and Selected Grantees, January 2013]
On Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 11:28 AM, Selby, Gardner (CMG-Austin) <wgselby@statesman.com> wrote:
Zac:
Good morning.
I’m following up here with questions about the CPRIT ad. I’d be happy to hear back by email or phone.
Greg Abbott had a designee attend CPRIT meetings and, as you may know, his seat was one of 11 oversight committee slots, meaning he wasn’t CPRIT’s sole overseer. The AG’s office later helped Travis County gather information in advance of the CPRIT staff member’s felony indictment. The county’s district attorney said in January 2013 no board members were under investigation.
Separately, I have yet to confirm Leininger owned or had a stake in the Bryan-College Station company that got a grant. Aside from the Chronicle news story, does Davis have such evidence? The Dallas Morning News identified a Dallas man as the company’s owner.
Beyond the Leininger element, did any other Abbott donors have connections to entities drawing questionable grants and also shower him, as the ad says, with gifts or vacation trips? Please specify.
I hope to complete our review soon.
g.
W. Gardner Selby
PolitiFact Texas
Austin American-Statesman
12:21 p.m.
Aug. 28, 2014
First, the ad doesn't say he was the "sole" overseer. It says he was "charged" with oversight.
Second, the ad never makes mention of an investigation, felony indictment or Abbott's role in either. It says Abbott was on the oversight committee, that his donors got tens of millions in grants without proper oversight and that Abbott was showered with gifts from donors who got grants.
Other stuff below. Let me know if you have any other questions.
1. Greg Abbott Was Charged With Overseeing CPRIT
Abbott Was On The Oversight Committee For The Cancer Prevention & Research Institute Of Texas. In May 2014, The Dallas Morning News reported, “As attorney general, Abbott held a seat on the oversight board for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.” [The Dallas Morning News, 5/06/14]
CPRIT’s Website Listed Abbott As A Member Of The Oversight Committee. In May 2013, The Dallas Morning News reported, “Abbott said he doesn’t consider himself to be a member of the oversight committee because he picked a staff member. CPRIT, however, lists Abbott as a member on its website, with a picture of him and an extensive biography.” [The Dallas Morning News, 5/13/13]
Oversight Committee Charged With Making CPRIT’s Final Grant Decisions. According to a December 2012 editorial in the Austin American, “Final grant decisions are made by CPRIT's 11-member oversight committee. Nine of the committee's members are appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and Texas House speaker.” [Editorial, Austin American-Statesman, 12/22/12]
2. Leininger’s Investment Firm Is The Sole “Institutional Investor” In Caliber Biotherapeutics.
Leininger’s Investment Firm Is The Sole “Institutional Investor” In Caliber Biotherapeutics. Caliber Biotherapeutics’s website lists MedCare Investment Funds as the company’s sole institutional investor. James Leininger founded MedCare Investment Funds, according to MedCare’s website. [Caliber Biotherapeutics’ Website, Institutional Investors; MedCare Investment Funds’ Website, The Team]
3. Steve Hicks, A Major Abbott Donor, Gave Gift To Abbott; Connected To CPRIT Award To CTNeT That Had No Scientific Review
Steve Hicks, Vice Chairman Of The University Of The Texas Board Of Regents, Gave Abbott The Gift Of A “Travel Guide Membership.”According to the San Antonio Express-News, “Steven Hicks, vice chairman of the University of Texas Board of Regents, has donated $193,000 to Abbott and, along with his wife, Donna, gave the gift of a ‘travel guide membership’ in 2009.” Hicks was appointed to the Board in 2009. [The University of Texas System, Vice Chairman R. Steven Hicks; MD Anderson Cancer Center Profile; San Antonio Express-News, 3/01/14]
Hicks Founded Capstar Partners; Serves As Executive Chairman. According to Capstar Partners’ website, “R. Steven ‘Steve’ Hicks serves as Executive Chairman of Capstar Partners, LLC. Capstar Partners participates in small and middle market buyouts, real estate development, and public investing. Since 2000, Capstar has invested in a broad range of industries including media and broadcasting, healthcare services, e-commerce, financial services and real estate.” [Capstar Partners]
Partner At Capstar Served On The Board At CTNeT. John Cullen serves as a partner at Capstar Partners, according to the company’s website. Cullen was on the board of the directors at CTNeT. [Capstar Partners; CPRIT Foundation, 7/27/11]
CPRIT Awarded University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer CenterA $25.2 Million Grant In 2010; CPRIT Transferred The Award To CTNeT.According to the State Auditor, “The Statewide Clinical Trials Network of Texas (CTNeT) received a $25.2 million research grant from CPRIT even though CTNeT did not exist at the time the grant was awarded. The CTNeT grant was the largest single grant that CPRIT had awarded as of June 2012. CPRIT originally awarded the grant to the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in June 2010. Subsequent to the award, CTNeT was formed and registered to become a Texas-based non-profit company in August 2010 and CPRIT executed a grant agreement with CTNeT in September 2010. It is unclear what allowed CPRIT to transfer the award from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to CTNeT. CPRIT also did not have documentation to support that the scientific review council recommended the original application for a grant.” [An Audit Report on Grant Management at the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and Selected Grantees, January 2013]