Top employee leaves Brazoria County office
A top employee at the Brazoria County District Clerk’s Office has left the agency amid an investigation into allegations that the office mishandled jury selection, as well as her own political bid.
Cayla Meyers is no longer employed as chief deputy of the office, according to District Clerk Donna Starkey. However, Starkey declined to discuss the circumstances of Meyers’ departure, including whether it was connected to the jury assembly misconduct investigation.
Meyers, a longtime county employee, is running for the elected position of district clerk, which is on the ballot in November 2022. The former employee said she was unable to comment on the reason for, or circumstances surrounding, her departure.
“The only comment I have is, yes, I am still running for District Clerk because I believe I am the most qualified candidate,” Meyers wrote.
Meyers had worked for the district clerk’s office since 2011, according to her campaign website. There, she served as an intake clerk, criminal clerk of the 239th District Court and supervisor before her promotion to chief deputy.
On her campaign site, she describes herself as a “conservative Republican with Christian values.”
In late August, Starkey was selected by the county’s district judges to serve as district clerk. County commissioners approved the selection at an emergency meeting.
Her predecessor, Rhonda Barchak, retired after the Brazoria
County District Attorney’s Office launched an investigation into allegations that the office mishandled the jury selection process.
Starkey said Monday that she was unable to discuss the investigation.
“We’re reviewing policies and we’re trying to make sure that the integrity of the office is being upheld,” she said. “I’m not saying it wasn’t. I’m just saying we’re trying to ensure the community has faith in the office.”
Community activist Quanell
X has said he believes the clerk’s office discriminated against people of color while selecting jurors. However, local authorities have not disclosed details about the nature of the allegations under investigation.