The general counsel and policy director for House Speaker Dustin Burrows was fired this week and was reportedly escorted from the Texas Capitol by law enforcement officials. The speaker’s office confirmed to Texas Scorecard on Tuesday morning that Jimmy Skipton IV had been dismissed.
Jimmy Skipton IV
According to Capitol sources, Skipton was accused of directing committee chairmen to move or kill certain pieces of legislation under the guise of direction from Speaker Burrows. Instead, he was allegedly doing so to benefit his wife, Carrie Simmons, a prominent Austin lobbyist for the firm of Texas Lobby Partners.
That firm is headlined by Mike Toomey, a longtime associate of Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
Last fall, Toomey took a temporary leave of absence from lobbying to serve as chief of staff for disgraced former House Speaker Dade Phelan in the final days of his tenure.
Lawmakers have said in recent weeks that Skipton had become increasingly hostile to their staff, with one source describing him as “demanding and disrespectful.” That attitude allegedly was extended even to Burrows’ chief of staff, Robert Duncan, and senior advisor Tracy King, a former Democrat lawmaker from Uvalde.
Reportedly, Skipton was confronted about the issue and presented with evidence during a meeting with Duncan and Speaker Burrows on Monday. Skipton was then reportedly escorted from the Capitol by the Department of Public Safety.
As recently as last week, Skipton was listed as “General Counsel and Policy Director” on the House website, but neither his name nor the position is listed now.
Attempts to reach Mr. Skipton and Ms. Simmons for comment were unsuccessful.
As an attorney, Skipton’s actions could have long-reaching consequences.
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