Texas Watchdog analyzes Fred Baron’s statements

By Trent Seibert | Thursday, August 28th, 2008

New journalism group Texas Watchdog follows up its examination of Dallas attorney and Democratic kingmaker Fred Baron with a news analysis by former Dallas Observer political scribe Matt Pulle.

Pulle pulls in an interview with a former Dallas Observer editor who talks about her experience with Baron in the wake of the alt-weekly investigating the powerful political contributor. In short, it appears that Baron tried to intimidate not just journalists but sources in his effort to shut down the story.

Baron has been in the news often recently since he admitted making secret payouts to John Edwards’ mistress.

Pulle also chronicles recent statements made by Baron in those media interviews and rates the “believability factor” based on those statements. The verdict isn’t a good one for the now-high-profile attorney.

Pulle’s story comes in the wake of Texas Watchdog’s last story on Baron, where the journalists added up the vast total of campaign contributions made by Baron and those he is connected to. The total came to nearly $7 million.

Texas Watchdog is a news Web site and training center that scrutinizes the actions of government agencies, bureaucracies and politicians in Texas. It is an independent, nonpartisan entity founded on the belief that our American democracy depends on transparency in government.

For more information, contact: Trent Seibert, editor, 713-366-797 or trent@texaswatchdog.org