Six people in Collin County district clerk’s office indicted by grand jury

by Bill Baumbach of The Collin County Observer

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Patricia Crigger is slated to be the next district clerk on January 1, 2011, but her indictment casts doubt on her ability to assume that office.

Six supervisors in the Collin County District Clerk's office were indicted by a Collin County Grand Jury today for "Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity" -- a felony.

The six are:

1. Patricia Crigger, Chief Deputy District Clerk

2. Sherry Bell

3. Rebecca Littrell

4. Amy Mathis

5. Lorrie Robertson

6. Marcia Simpson

Patricia Crigger is the number 2 person in Hannah Kunkle's District Clerk's office. Ms. Crigger won the Republican Primary run-off to replace the retiring Ms. Kunkle. Since she faces no Democratic opposition, she is slated to be the next District Clerk on January 1, 2011. Her indictment casts doubt on her ability to assume that office.

The other 5 women are supervisors in the District Clerk's office. According to the Grand Jury report released today, the charges against all six county employees were brought by the Texas Rangers.

The Texas Rangers and other law enforcement personnel raided the District Clerk's office on June 3rd, seizing numerous records and computer drives. According to search warrant affidavits (PDF), it is alleged that Crigger and other supervisors were maintaining a double set of books on employees' time, and then granting paid time off for various reasons, including time spent campaigning for Ms. Crigger.

So far, Hannah Kunkle has not been indicted. The Observer has heard rumors that both state and federal grand jury investigations may be underway.

Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity is a second degree felony. The Organized crime act is usually used against gangs and street gangs, not county courthouse personnel. Conviction could result in prison time from 2 to 20 years, a fine up to $10,000 and loss of many citizenship privileges.

The Collin County Observer has not heard if the six employees have been arrested or arraigned yet or when arraignment and bail hearings are scheduled.

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