Trouble brewing in Texas: Texans for Public Justice are asking District Attorney Ronnie Earle to investigate possible campaign finance shenanigans on the part of House Speaker Tom Craddick (R).

Here's what Texans for Public Justice has a problem with (courtesy of the Houston Chronicle):

The watchdog group accuses Craddick of indirectly donating $50,000 to each of three Democrats who have supported Craddick and are facing re-election challenges within their party. A fourth Democrat turned down the money, the group said.

House members must elect a speaker when they convene next year. Craddick turned back two challenges to his leadership from his own party at the beginning and end of last year's legislative session. Fifteen Democrats were crucial in offsetting his loss of support among Republicans.

The key to the watchdog group's allegation is the timing of donations.

According to the complaint, the Texas Jobs Political Action Committee had reported no cash on hand as of Dec. 31, then received $250,000 from Craddick's campaign fund on Jan. 10. The next day, the committee sent $50,000 checks to the three Democrats.

Earle is the same guy who has made, and continues to make, life so difficult for former Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX) in an investigation into campaign finance wrongdoing -- an investigation that also touched Craddick.