Leaders of both parties responded to Carmen Turner’s arrest as early voting continues.
By Jessica Stroh · Friday, Oct. 23
Fort Bend County officials and party leaders responded Thursday and Friday to the federal indictment of Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen Turner, with Republicans and Democrats each raising concerns about corruption in county government.
Turner, a Democrat, was arrested Thursday at her Missouri City home. She is charged in a nine-count federal indictment alleging she used county payroll funds to pay two caregivers for her elderly mother and the father of her adult son, who prosecutors say was working full time at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Co-defendants Shemerrylyn Fields and Victor Ewing are also charged. All three are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Interim county judge
Interim County Judge Daniel Wong, a Republican, held a news conference at the county courthouse Thursday after the indictment was announced.
“The indictment and arrest of Carmen Turner today is a stunning reminder of the cloud of corruption that has hung over Fort Bend County for too long,” Wong said.
On Friday, Wong sent a letter to county employees calling the indictments “deeply troubling.”
“Chaos and corruption have no place in Fort Bend County government,” Wong wrote.
Wong echoed U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz’s call for people with knowledge of public corruption to come forward. He urged employees with firsthand knowledge of fraudulent payroll practices, misuse of taxpayer funds or abuse of office to contact FBI Houston at 713-693-5000 or tips.fbi.gov. He said no employee should face unlawful retaliation for a good-faith report. Wong also said he will give federal investigators additional information about suspected wrongdoing but did not say what it involves.
Wong was appointed interim county judge in April after suspended County Judge KP George was removed from duty in a civil case that was later dismissed. County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson, a Democrat, has sued to remove Wong, arguing his appointment expired June 17. Wong says it remains valid. A trial in that case is set for after the election. Wong faces Democratic Commissioner Dexter McCoy in the Nov. 3 race for county judge.
Commissioner McCoy
McCoy said in a statement that public corruption has no place in the county.
“If you steal from taxpayers or use your position to enrich yourself or your family, like Donald Trump does each day, you answer for it. I don’t care who you are or what party you belong to,” McCoy said.
McCoy said Republicans have normalized “chaos and corruption” and criticized Wong for welcoming Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as one of his first acts as interim county judge.
“Our government should work for the people who pay the bills, not the politicians who abuse their power,” McCoy said.
Commissioner Meyers
Republican Commissioner Andy Meyers said in a statement Friday that Turner’s indictment was not her first encounter with federal prosecutors. Meyers said Turner pleaded guilty to a reduced charge and received one year of probation in the 2016 bankruptcy fraud case.
Meyers said Turner’s criminal history was public knowledge. He criticized McCoy, saying McCoy and other politicians were willing to overlook that history and were “putting politics over principle.” Meyers’ statement included a link to a video in which McCoy endorses Turner.
“Political loyalty should never take precedence over integrity, accountability, and the public trust,” Meyers said.
Precinct 4 candidates
Both candidates running to succeed McCoy as Precinct 4 commissioner also commented on the indictment.
“People who hold public office should do it for the betterment of the community, not enrichment of themselves, family and friends,” said Ken Mathews. “Anyone who abuses the public office should be held fully accountable regardless of who they are.”
April L. Jones, the Democratic nominee, called the allegations against Turner “very serious” and said taxpayers deserve accountability, transparency and responsible stewardship of public funds.
“At the same time, an indictment is an accusation — not a conviction,” Jones said in a statement. “Every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. That principle must apply equally to everyone, regardless of political affiliation or public position.”
Jones said she would respect the legal process and reserve judgment.
Republican Party
Fort Bend County Republican Party Chairman Greg Barnes pointed to Turner’s arrest and a second arrest Thursday involving a local Democrat. Chief Deputy District Clerk Haroon Mughal, a former Democratic candidate for Precinct 4 commissioner, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault causing bodily injury involving family violence and interference with an emergency call, according to court documents reported by FOX 26 Houston. His case is unrelated to Turner’s.
“How wide does corruption in Fort Bend County government go?” Barnes said. “Two prominent Democrats arrested on the same day. … The people of Fort Bend County deserve a full accounting of what happened, who knew about it, and whether the safeguards meant to protect the public were functioning.”
The party’s statement also cited George’s March conviction on two felony money laundering counts. It cited a guilty plea to two misdemeanors by Taral Patel, a former county employee and Democratic commissioner candidate. And it cited a September indictment on felony theft and tampering charges against Eric Lister, a former Precinct 3 deputy constable and Democratic county treasurer candidate.
“These cases involve different allegations and different individuals, but they raise important questions about public trust,” Barnes said. “No one should be above scrutiny because of a title, a position, or political connections.”
The party called for thorough investigations, preservation of records, a review of internal controls and public disclosure of findings.
Democratic Party
The Fort Bend County Democratic Party, led by Chairwoman Jennifer Cantu, issued a statement Thursday responding to Wong’s courthouse remarks. Beyond identifying the indictment as the subject of Wong’s speech, the statement did not address the allegations against Turner.
“The illegitimate, unelected, and illegal usurper of the County Judge’s office is the root of corruption in Fort Bend County. He is the cloud of which he speaks,” the statement said.
The party said that if Wong is removed, the Commissioners Court will have to revote every action taken since June 17, at a cost to taxpayers. It also said money spent through consultants to pay Wong’s chief of staff and communications director would have to be recouped.
Commissioners Vincent Morales and Grady Prestage did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Early voting runs through Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3.