HOUSTON – Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Eversole resigned Monday.
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Harris County Judge Ed Emmett's office said the resignation was submitted about 2 p.m. It is effective Oct. 1.
Eversole's letter did not include a reason for his resignation.
Eversole was indicted last year on charges of conspiracy, accepting a bribe and making false statements on tax returns in 2003 and 2004. A trial on the charges resulted in a mistrial. A new trial has been set to begin on Oct. 24.
"I think Commissioner Eversole will tell you this has been a distraction," Emmett said. "I guess most people were assuming that if a resignation came, that it was somehow tied to the legal proceedings. But I have not seen that yet."
KPRC Local 2 legal analyst Brian Wice said he thinks Eversole's resignation is part of a possible plea deal.
"My take is, given the wording of his resignation letter, which sounds suspiciously close to an admission of guilt and an acceptance of responsibility, which carries great weight in federal court, I think it is a part of a plea deal," Wice said.
Eversole had represented Harris County Precinct 4 since January 1991.
"I think that the legacy will be the parks, being a good commissioner, that he was there for the right reasons," former Harris County Judge Robert Eckles said. " At the same time, I think it's a lesson for other public officials that transparency is important."
Emmett will decide who will replace Eversole temporarily.
"It's important that we get a highly-qualified person in," Emmett said.
Emmett said he will move quickly to name a replacement. He said about 30 people have expressed interest in the position.
An election will be held next year to allow voters to choose his replacement.