Montgomery County TX mayor, six other city officials indicted www.privateofficer.com
PATTON VILLAGE, Texas Feb 25 2012– A Montgomery County grand jury has indicted Patton Village Mayor Pamela Munoz and six other city officials on criminal charges ranging from abuse of official capacity to theft by a public servant, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday.
Also indicted were City Secretary Georgia Simons, Court Clerk Patricia Edmondson, and four current and former Patton Village police officers: Kenneth McLin, Michael Seymour, William Martin and Deangelo Lavergne. Three other former police officers were charged with additional criminal offenses in other counties as a result of the investigation, prosecutors said.
Many of the suspects were arrested on open warrants Friday afternoon.
The investigation began in late September of 2011, when the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office received information about possible illegal activity on the part of Patton Village officials and city employees.
On October 4, 2011, the DA’s office and the Texas Rangers executed a search warrant on the city offices, seizing computers, financial reports, payroll records, invoices, contracts, bank records and other documents.
Over the course of several months — with assistance from the FBI, the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Department of Public Safety — investigators uncovered evidence in the case, which was presented to the grand jury.
After examining the evidence, the grand jury concluded that there was reason to believe that criminal offenses — including abuse of official capacity, misuse of official information, misapplication of fiduciary property, securing execution of document by deception, and theft by a public servant — were committed.
“The citizens of Montgomery County have asked that our office aggressively seek and investigate allegations of public corruption, and unfortunately, it appears the City of Patton Village is the latest example of public officials and police officers using city funds and property for their personal benefits,” District Attorney Phil Grant said.
“In Montgomery County, public officials will be expected to act both lawfully and responsibly when dealing with public funds and property, and we look forward to presenting these cases to a jury at the appropriate time,” Assistant District Attorney Tyler Dunman said.
Source:khou.com
