The Collin County Observer™

News, Analysis & Opinion for Collin County©

Texas Rangers raid Courthouse

06/03/10

Permalink 01:05:13 am, by bill Email , 309 words,   English (US)
Categories: Observer Opinions, Law, Crime & Punishment

Texas Rangers raid Courthouse

At about 2 PM yesterday, my phone and email started buzzing me with news that Texas Rangers and DPS Troopers were serving a search warrant on the District Clerk's office at the Collin County Courthouse.

According to unconfirmed reports, agents closed all the offices of the District Clerk for several hours. I have heard rumors (but I have not been able to get an official confirmation) that several county computers were seized.

WFAA, Channel 8 covered the raid on the evening news, but they only reported that there was a raid and that, "the investigation is focusing on some employees of the district clerk's office, but no other details were available."

The Observer was told by some courthouse sources that the search warrant was issued in Austin. I do not know if any investigation was initiated by the State Attorney General or by the Collin County District Attorney. There are many rumors as to the reasons for the raid, but as of now, none have been confirmed.

I have been unable to reach the District Clerk, Hannah Kunkle for comment.

The District Clerk's office serves the 9 Collin county District Courts, keeping all court records and filings. The Collin County district clerk's office also operates a passport service.

The District Clerk is an elected position. Ms. Hannah Kunkle has served as the District Clerk for over 20 years, but did not seek re-election this year. Her Chief Deputy Clerk, Patricia Crigger won the Republican Primary in March - since she does not have a Democratic opponent, Ms. Crigger will be the next District Clerk as of January 1, 2011.

While several of the current rumors link the election to the warrant and raid, I have to say that I have not been able to confirm.

As I find out more about the raid and any ongoing investigation, I will update the news on The Observer.

Bill

PermalinkPermalink 5 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Emma Berry [Visitor] Email · http://emmaberry.org
Wow! That is astounding news, Bill. I wonder if this means they will be looking into the multimillion dollar contract awarded to Sam Johnson's son last September to manage the North Central Texas Fusion Center? From reports over the past few months in the Dallas Morning News, there are likely many records in the clerk's office that have eyebrow-raising potential.

But I guess that is all to be expected when this one is married to that one and that one is having an affair with another one and this one has a son who needs a job.

I'm glad it happened before November. I hope that voters are paying attention.
PermalinkPermalink 06/03/10 @ 08:39
Comment from: Philip W, Moore, Jr. [Visitor] Email
Bill,

This blog post is more Perez Hilton than Pulitzer Prize. It's just not news to report rumors that you can neither confirm nor shut down. I'm sure that you'll eventually report something more substantive, but you're better than this.

-Philip

The Observer notes that:

The rumors reported turned out to be 'spot on'. Care was taken to both only print the most credible information, while at the same time offering the disclaimer that the fact could not be interdependently verified.

Bill
PermalinkPermalink 06/03/10 @ 22:08
Comment from: Philip W. Moore, Jr. [Visitor] Email
All I'm saying is that discretion is the better part of valor. I'd rather ride the tide than lightning.
PermalinkPermalink 06/03/10 @ 23:52
Comment from: MrRepublican [Visitor] Email · http://MrRepublican
I disagree with Phillip. If it was not for Bill the Collin County voters and taxpayers would not be aware of what is going on. That is what reporting is all about, informing the public. This is the only place that I can actually get information and updates on this story. You keep up the great work Bill, we appreciate it.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/10 @ 18:24
Comment from: frustrated [Visitor] Email
wondering why non of this has been talked about in detail on any of the news stations in the metroplex since the raid. Seems to me that this would get more attention that the gas line fire that has been keeping the airwaves burning since it happened.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/10 @ 22:20

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The Collin County Observer™

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