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June 30, 2009

JP Morris recants statement made about law firm

Staff Report

Cherokee County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Judge James Morris has taken back recent allegations he made against a Round Rock lawfirm concerning its business with the county.

Morris made statements alluding to unlawful payments to the county from McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen P.C., which collects delinquent taxes for the county, in a letter he sent to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office earlier this month. Morris claimed the county receives about $1,000 a month from the firm to supplement the salary of a county tax employee.

“I was wrong to have made such an allegation,” Morris stated in a public notice provided to the Daily Progress advertising department on Friday. “I apologize to the law firm of McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, P.C. for alleging unlawful or inappropriate conduct or actions by the law firm in its dealings with Cherokee County.”

Morris’ original letter also contained formal complaints against Commissioners Kevin Pierce and Byron Underwood, accusing the pair of fraud, tax evasion, accepting bribes, violating the Open Meetings Act and using their office to “intimidate and retaliate against those who oppose this abuse.”

Both commissioners released statements, about a week after Morris’ letter was made public, indicating the need to defend their reputations against the judge’s public denunciations.

“False accusations have been made against me that are now in front of the public. My integrity, character and morals are on the line, not to mention my church, family, wife and children,” Commissioner Pierce said. “In the weeks to come, as the truth is revealed, I believe it will all work out for the better. I have never had a bad mark on my name, and I will do all that is necessary to ensure that remains the case.”

Commissioner Underwood stated, “I totally deny all accusations that have been made in recent articles, letters and statements that have been made towards me. I invite anyone to look at my record while serving as your commissioner,” Underwood said. “I have tried to make decisions that were in the best interest of the taxpayers, employees and citizens of Cherokee County — having left personal feelings and conflicts out of them.”

Pierce said he believes the whole situation resulted from the court denying Morris’ request to change his court’s computer software program during the May 26 meeting. Pierce said the court questioned Morris’ request because they hadn’t received any information regarding it until a few days before the meeting, and he called the judge’s response “an example of sour grapes.” Underwood called the judge’s accusations “an attempt to build up his own character by tearing someone else’s down.”

Underwood said Tuesday he was pleased with Morris’ decision.

“I appreicate him withdrawing at least the one charge,” Underwood said.

Pierce agreed.

“It’s a bad situation and I hate that it happened, but I really think now it’s in the county’s and the commissioners’ best interests to move forward with business,” he said.

The Daily Progress Web site can be found at www.jacksonvilleprogress.com. The original story was published last week and can be found at www.jacksonvilleprogress.com/archivesearch/local_story_156155516.html. Morris letter to the editor following a recent commissioners court meeting can be found at www.jacksonvilleprogress.com/archivesearch/local_story_153165454.html.

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