Collin County District Clerks indicted again on corruption charges

by Bill Baumbach of The Collin County Observer

This is the first time that Hannah Kunkle has been formally charged in the corruption case.

Hannah Kunkle

District Clerk Patricia Crigger, former District Clerk Hannah Kunkle, and Deputy Chief District Clerk Rebecca Littrell were indicted this afternoon. A Collin County grand jury charged the three officials with 3rd degree felonies of Abuse of Official Capacity between the amounts of $20,000 and $100,000. They each face up to 2 to 10 years in the state prison and or $10,000 fine if convicted.

Former elected District Clerk Kunkle was charged with two counts of Abuse of Official Capacity.
Crigger, the current elected district clerk, and the previous deputy chief district clerk was indicted for one charge of Abuse of Official Capacity.
Littrell, the appointed deputy chief district clerk, was also indicted for two charges of Abuse of Official Capacity.

Patricia Crigger

The Texas Rangers raided the Collin County Courthouse in June 2010 pursuant to a subpoena seeking computers and documents after district clerk employees were suspected of giving employees paid leave for helping Crigger campaign for district clerk during the 2010 election.

Last year, a grand jury indicted Crigger and five district clerks and supervisors. Last month, a special prosecutor dismissed all charges, but stated there was still an investigation in the works, and that charges may still be made.

But this is the first time that Kunkle has been formally charged in the corruption case.

The county website does not yet show the warrants or hearing dates.