Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who’s been preparing to launch another bid for the presidency, was indicted Friday on abuse of power charges.

Gov. Rick Perry Indicted

A grand jury in Austin handed Perry the two-count indictment for abuse of power after collecting information about the governor’s dealings with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, reported the Los Angeles Times. The investigation has been ongoing for months following the arrest of Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg for drunken driving.

Upon a conviction, Lehmberg served a jail sentence. She did not, however, step down as Perry had insited. Apparently, Perry had threatened that if she did not step down, he’d veto funding for her office, which includes the public integrity unit. As a result of Lehmberg’s refusal to quit, Perry cut off $7.5 million in funding for her office.

When Perry’s actions were first brought to light, the governor claimed that what he did was within the scope of power. A government watchdog group disagreed with the politician and appointed a special prosecutor to try the case.

Perry’s general counsel Mary Anne Wiley defended him, saying, "The veto in question was made in accordance with the veto authority afforded to every governor under the Texas Constitution.”

Texas Democrats disagree and have even suggested that it’s time for Perry – the longest-serving Governor in the state’s history – to step down.