Judge Lina Hidalgo addressed the media for the first time since her former staffers faced charges related to an $11 million COVID contract. The case, initially handled by the Harris County District Attorney's office, involved allegations of misuse of official information and tampering with records. After being transferred to the Texas Attorney General's office, charges against two staffers were dropped, while a third received pre-trial intervention. Hidalgo defended her staff and spoke about the challenges of navigating the legal system. Former DA Kim Ogg criticized Hidalgo's comments, stating that the plea deals prevent the public from accessing the full evidence.
Judge Lina Hidalgo addressed the media Thursday outside the Harris County commissioner's courtroom, passionately speaking for a half hour about the cases involving her former staffers and the woman who pursued them. The cases center around the alleged misuse of official information and tampering with records connected to an $11 million COVID contract.
Judge Hidalgo spoke after her former staffers, Aaron Dunn, Wallis Nader, and Alex Triantaphyllis, faced charges from the Harris County District Attorney's office, initially led by former DA Kim Ogg. When Ogg lost her re-election campaign, the case was transferred to the Texas Attorney General's office. A few months later, charges against Dunn and Nader were dropped. Triantaphyllis received pre-trial intervention, a program that doesn't absolve him of guilt but avoids a trial and potential conviction. Hidalgo explained that Triantaphyllis was given the option to proceed with a three-week trial, which would have cost taxpayers and his family, or to complete a day of community service at a food bank. Legal analyst Brian Wice commented that the choice was a 'sure thing' for Triantaphyllis.Initially, numerous text messages and emails were released, revealing conversations between Elevate Strategies' owner and Hidalgo's staff regarding the project prior to its public announcement. Hidalgo, at the time, characterized the released information as misleading. The Attorney General's office stated that they uncovered new evidence not presented by the county DA's office to the grand jury, complicating the case. Despite the cases nearing their conclusion, taxpayers will continue to incur expenses. Hidalgo announced plans to reimburse staff for legal fees. Former DA Ogg responded to Hidalgo's media statement, calling her words 'kindergarten tactics' and 'schoolyard name-calling.' Ogg emphasized that the plea deals prevent the public from hearing the evidence and determining whether Hidalgo's staff manipulated the $11 million COVID contract and the extent of her involvement
COVID Contract Judge Lina Hidalgo Harris County Legal Charges Plea Deals Kim Ogg Texas Attorney General
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