Categories: General News

Texas Prosecutors Dismiss Election Tampering Claims, Charge County Employee for Separate Irregularities

Texas Prosecutors Find No Evidence of Election Tampering but Charge County Employee

In an unexpected turn of events, a detailed investigation conducted by prosecutors in Texas’ largest county, Harris County, found no evidence of any intent to manipulate the 2022 election outcomes. However, they are pressing criminal charges against a county employee, who was suspiciously working a second job while critical polling stations ran out of paper ballots.

A Deep Dive Into the Houston Investigation

Midterm elections in Houston had previously drawn significant attention due to issues at polling places. This led to some Republican candidates challenging their losses in local races and the state’s Governor, Greg Abbott, passing a law that ousted the election administrator in Harris County, a region home to over 5 million residents.

District Attorney Kim Ogg, a democrat elected in the county, hosted a press conference where she stated that their investigation, carried out with the support of investigators from the Texas Rangers, found zero evidence to suggest that elections workers attempted to interfere with the results. However, Ogg noted that one elections employee, whose specific role involved ensuring that polling locations have an adequate number of paper ballots, faltered, thereby causing some voters to be unable to vote.

Irregularities Surrounding a County Employee

This employee, named Darryl Blackburn, was not charged related to any suspicion of election-related crimes. Instead, he faces charges owing to inaccuracies with claiming hours on his timesheets and applying for paid time off while allegedly working another more profitable job on the sidelines, including Election Day when certain polling sites reportedly ran out of paper ballots.

The most severe charge, theft by public servant, pressed against Blackburn holds a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison. Blackburn’s lawyer has affirmed his client’s innocence and critiqued the charges as politically motivated.

Maintaining Voter Confidence

Expressing concern over the development, D.A. Ogg stated that the worker’s actions have significantly harmed voter confidence. She emphasized the importance of examining such incidents impartially.

Previously, an audit by the state secretary’s office also confirmed that the problems in Houston did not influence race outcomes. However, the audit report did blame local administrators for lapses, including inadequate training provided to the elections staff.

These fresh findings come as Houston’s political environment has become a hotspot in recent Texas voting rights and access debates. Democrats, who have been making progress in the county, have lambasted new voting restrictions and state scrutiny over Houston’s elections as politically incentivized.

Appeal on Election Results Remains Pending

Given the lingering uncertainties surrounding the 2022 midterm elections, a Texas judge had previously dismissed efforts by unsuccessful Republican candidates to overturn the election results. However, in a tight race, the judge later demanded a new election. This case remains under appeal.


Author: HERE Greenville

HERE Greenville

Recent Posts

Greenville-Anderson Real Estate Market Recognized as Top Hot Spot for 2025

News Summary The Greenville-Anderson real estate market has garnered national attention, being named one of…

2 hours ago

Weekend Thrills Await in Upstate South Carolina

News Summary Upstate South Carolina is set for an action-packed weekend filled with concerts, sports,…

2 hours ago

Art Exhibit ‘Nature Deconstructed’ Opens in Greenville

News Summary Spoonbill Gallery in Greenville is set to unveil a new exhibit titled 'Nature…

2 hours ago

Supreme Court to Hear Case on South Carolina’s Medicaid Funding Cuts to Planned Parenthood

Supreme Court to Review South Carolina's Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood Washington – The Supreme…

15 hours ago

Appalachian State Aims to Overcome Road Struggles Against Dominant Charleston Cougars

Charleston, South Carolina – A Clash of College Basketball Teams In a thrilling college basketball…

17 hours ago