DOJ Investigates Texas Democratic Group Over Alleged Vote Buying Scheme

The Justice Department has initiated an investigation into the Texas Majority PAC, a Democratic group, following the release of a viral video. The footage shows an operative detailing what he described as a method of "paying people" to vote in the midterm elections, a practice that could contravene federal law.

A source confirmed the Department of Justice's probe into the Texas-based PAC on Wednesday. The investigation was first reported by Fox News.

The video, captured by conservative outlet Townhall using a hidden camera, features Sky MacAdams, who was the organizing manager for Texas Majority PAC. In the recording, MacAdams explains the group's approach to voter engagement. "We are paying people $25 to attend a one-hour Zoom class to learn why voting is important and why the Republicans are causing all of these bad things," MacAdams stated in the video.

He further elaborated, "So it’s like a roundabout way of paying people for their votes, essentially," characterizing the tactic as a "gray" area. Federal law strictly prohibits payments made in exchange for voting or refraining from voting for specific candidates, with potential penalties including up to two years in prison.

MacAdams acknowledged the legal boundaries, noting, "You can’t pay someone to vote for someone. You can’t be like, ‘Here’s $25, go vote for me.’ You can say, ‘Attend a one-hour class and you can receive $25.’"

He also commented on the potential perception of such methods, adding, "If I was a Republican, I would be pissed. I would be like, that’s shady as f–k."

Following the video's release, Texas Majority PAC stated that MacAdams' description was inaccurate and insisted their operations were compliant with the law. Eddie Vale, a spokesperson for the PAC, told Fox News that MacAdams was a "rogue employee" and had been fired. "Participants in the program are being paid for grassroots organizing work," Vale said. "The way it was described by one rogue employee is factually incorrect, not how we operate, and they were immediately fired."

Vale explained that the group's "relational organizing program" involves hiring Texans to attend events where they learn to organize friends and family to vote. They are compensated for this organizing work, similar to any other job, and are encouraged to send reminders to their contacts. "Texas Majority PAC runs a relational organizing program, which for years has been a standard part of every campaign’s playbook," Vale added.

According to a state campaign finance report, Texas Majority PAC allocated $500,000 to the political consulting firm Relentless for its Relational Organizing Program in May.

In reaction to the video, U.S. Representative Pat Fallon (R-Texas) urged Attorney General Todd Blanche to investigate the Texas Majority PAC. In a letter to Blanche, Fallon stated, "Texas Majority PAC, through its documented partnership with Relentless, has openly admitted to defying the law and purchasing votes in the US Senate race." He emphasized the need for investigation and accountability to uphold free and fair elections.

Texas Majority PAC and the DOJ have not yet responded to requests for comment on the investigation.