The special prosecutor investigating an ethics complaint against Gov. Rick Perry wants to hire an investigator and research assistant.
In a request filed Tuesday in Travis County District Court, San Antonio attorney Michael McCrum asked to temporarily hire two staffers at a maximum cost of $2,500. That signaled that McCrum's investigation of Perry is moving forward.
In August, McCrum was named to investigate a complaint against Perry by Texans for Public Justice.
The watchdog group alleges the governor abused his power by threatening to cut funding to the Austin-based Public Integrity Unit if Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg didn't resign.
Lehmberg, a Democrat, pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, served time in jail but pledged to remain in office for the rest of her term ending in 2016.
