HOUSTON – Charges were dropped in a corruption case involving current and former Lamar Consolidated Independent School District school board members and a former city commission member.
The District Attorney's Office said there was no evidence to support the charges.
A packed courtroom full of supporters applauded as a judge dismissed bribery charges against current Lamar Consolidated ISD Trustee, Anna Gonzales, former Trustee and current Richmond City Commissioner, Jesse Torres, and businessman, Jim Gonzalez.
A construction company owned by Jim Gonzalez was widely used by the district, and the indictment accused him of offering cash to trustees.
The state said they found new evidence after the grand jury indictment that led to their motion to dismiss charges.
In addition to the bribery charge, Torres was also charged with tampering with a government record. That charge was also dismissed.
In response to the dismissal of charges against individuals involved in the LCISD case, Fort Bend County Sheriff Nehls provided the following statement:
"It is our responsibility to thoroughly investigate accusations of crime and present the facts to the Grand Jury. Lt. David Schultz and his team did exactly that and I commend them for their excellent investigation. The decision to take a case to trial or not rests with the District Attorney's Office."