Embattled county judge courts new controversy
Montgomery official accused of filming political ad in office
CONROE — Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon has formally requested the Sheriff ’s Office investigate embattled County Judge Craig Doyal — previously indicted on a charge of conspiring to circumvent the Texas Open Meetings Act — for allegedly using his county office to film a political advertisement for his upcoming fundraiser.
According to a letter dated Tuesday from Ligon to Montgomery County Sheriff Rand Henderson, the incident may be a violation under Texas Penal Code provision on abuse of official capacity. Violations under the provision are misdemeanors and punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year or both a fine and confinement.
“Please investigate the matter captured on social media regarding County Judge Craig Doyal appearing in a video promoting his fund-raising event and his alleged use of county facilities and/or resources in the course of a political advertisement,” Ligon stated in the letter.
Doyal, who spent 13 years as a county commissioner before his election as judge, declined to comment on the situation. He is a fourth generation Montgomery County resident who is up for reelection in 2018.
In the latest controversy, Doyal released the video Saturday on Facebook — then later removed it — encouraging the public to attend his upcoming fundraiser for his campaign for county judge. The video was filmed in Doyal’s county office in the Alan B. Sadler Building, located at 501 N. Thompson St., Conroe. It was made by Nathan Arrazate who promotes local businesses, events, organizations, politicians and causes on his public Facebook pages Montgomery County Lifestyle and Conroe City Limits.
Arrazate told The Courier Monday he was not paid to shoot the video but is helping with the promotion of Doyal’s fundraiser.
“Come join us June 20 at the convention center for our annual fundraiser,” Doyal states in the 30-second video. “I say annual, last year I didn’t have a fundraiser, but this upcoming political season is going to be a tough one and we need your help and we need your support.”
According to the code, a public servant commits an offense if, with intent to obtain a benefit or with intent to harm or defraud another, he intentionally or knowingly violates a law relating to the public servant’s office or employment; or misuses government property, services, personnel, or any other thing of value belonging to the government that has come into the public servant’s custody or possession by virtue of the public servant’s office or employment.
Doyal’s campaign video was uploaded to the Conroe City Limits Facebook page with a caption that read “County Judge Craig Doyal extends his personal invitation for you to join him June 20th at his dinner and Auction.” The video was shared numerous times before being removed 24 hours after it was posted.
Doyal previously has come under fire in the past year for allegedly conspiring to circumvent (TOMA) regarding negotiations for the November 2015 road bond. Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley, Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Clark and political consultant Marc Davenport also were indicted on the same charge. A visiting district court judge in March ruled that portion of TOMA unconstitutional, resulting in each charge being dropped.
Doyal had been suspended without pay last June 28 following his indictment on misdemeanor charges of violating TOMA. A grand jury alleged that Doyal and two other commissioners held secret discussions in August 2015 about a $280 million bond referendum. The bond measure passed in November, six months after voters had rejected a $350 million bond plan.
Doyal was reinstated last September by a state commission.
If an appeals court overturns the district court judge’s ruling that a portion of TOMA is unconstitutional, the charges would be reinstated and the case could move forward.
In addition to Texas Open Meeting Act (TOMA) issues, Doyal previously has faced a barrage of other allegations. They include failure to disclose relationships with county vendors, compiling a hit list of political enemies and nepotism.