Post by Logan on Jun 22, 2016 15:11:32 GMT -6
TYLER, Texas (AP) — An East Texas county judge has been removed from office after allegedly holding illegal closed meetings to discuss a red-light traffic enforcement contract.
Smith County Judge Joel Baker was suspended without pay Tuesday by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Baker was indicted last Thursday on three misdemeanor counts of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act. The elected official denies wrongdoing and remains free on $2,000 bond.
The indictment says three closed meetings were illegally held in 2014 for commissioners to discuss a red-light monitoring contract with Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions Inc. Commissioners approved the 10-year deal during a public meeting.
Read more: www.yumasun.com/news/state_news/texas-county-judge-suspended-after-open-meetings-indictment/article_3508028e-f50b-55af-9ac5-a2e5108bca31.html
Smith County Judge Joel Baker was suspended without pay Tuesday by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Baker was indicted last Thursday on three misdemeanor counts of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act. The elected official denies wrongdoing and remains free on $2,000 bond.
The indictment says three closed meetings were illegally held in 2014 for commissioners to discuss a red-light monitoring contract with Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions Inc. Commissioners approved the 10-year deal during a public meeting.
Read more: www.yumasun.com/news/state_news/texas-county-judge-suspended-after-open-meetings-indictment/article_3508028e-f50b-55af-9ac5-a2e5108bca31.html