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Doyal and Riley investigation concludes, No indictment

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On April 4, 2018, the Public Integrity Division of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office shared the following release regarding the conclusion of the grand jury investigation of County Judge Doyal and Commissioner Riley.

“The citizens of Montgomery County have a right to expect public servants to perform their duties in a lawful and ethical manner. The Public Integrity Division of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office is committed to the investigation and prosecution of public servants who violate both the trust of those they represent and the laws of the State of Texas.

The Public Integrity Division not only receives cases from local law enforcement agencies, but also from citizens who submit complaints of misconduct against public officials. Every complaint is reviewed by the Public Integrity Division and a determination is made as to whether or not the alleged misconduct is a violation of criminal law. The Public Integrity Division evaluates and investigates these potential criminal offenses with the assistance of other law enforcement agencies and Montgomery County grand juries. A public integrity investigation may result in initiation of a criminal case; a determination that misconduct did not occur or did not rise to the level of a criminal violation; or a determination that prosecution has become barred by the applicable statute of limitations.

Beginning in August of 2017, the Public Integrity Division received complaints regarding the alleged misuse of county resources by Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal and Montgomery County Commissioner Charlie Riley. In addition to Judge Doyal and Commissioner Riley, the complaints implicated public officials employed by and serving on the school board of the Magnolia Independent School District. Each of these complaints was evaluated for potential criminal law violations, and a thorough investigation into the alleged misconduct was initiated.

The Texas Ranger Division of the Department of Public Safety assisted with the process of gathering and evaluating evidence. After numerous witness interviews and a review of countless governmental records, the investigation of Judge Doyal and Commissioner Riley is concluded. The term of a Montgomery County grand jury was extended until March 31, 2018, but no indictment was returned in this investigation. While grand jury proceedings and deliberations are confidential, generally speaking, a grand jury may decide to take no action in an investigation because the evidence does not rise to the level of probable cause, certain defenses to criminal conduct are applicable, or the statute of limitations prevents moving forward on the criminal conduct.

Regardless of the outcome of this investigation, the District Attorney’s office is committed to sharing publicly available information with county leadership in an effort to improve accountability and strengthen public confidence in government.”

 

Source: J. Tyler Dunman, Assistant District Attorney, Chief, Special Crimes Bureau, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office

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