New Ethics Complaint Raises Concerns Over Round Rock Mayor’s Financial Dealings

New Ethics Complaint Filed Against Round Rock Mayor

In the charming city of Round Rock, Texas, a new ethics complaint has stirred up quite a discussion among residents. Filed in late August by local citizen Jill Farris, the complaint targets Mayor Craig Morgan, alleging that he may have benefited financially through a conflict of interest involving his law firm.

The Heart of the Matter

At the core of Farris’s complaint is a claim that Mayor Morgan has “profited significantly” from his law firm, McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen PC (MVBA), acting as a contracted vendor for the city. This arrangement reportedly involves suing Round Rock residents to collect late property taxes, court fees, and library fines. According to the complaint, as of May 2024, Morgan and his firm have racked up an impressive $1,569,620.77 through these activities on behalf of the city — all while he serves as its mayor.

Concerns About Transparency

Farris’s primary concern seems to hinge on a lack of transparency in the city’s financial dealings, particularly regarding how these fines and fees were approved. She specifically points out that these charges were allegedly authorized by City Manager Laurie Hadley rather than the city council, raising questions about the appropriateness of the decisions made behind closed doors.

“Transparency really is the option here. We just need to be able to talk about it. And if there’s nothing there, then there’s nothing there,” Farris stated. This sentiment resonates with many residents who believe they deserve to understand the financial operations of their city.

Mayor Morgan’s Response

In response to the complaint, Mayor Morgan has stated that the issues raised were already investigated back in 2017 following a previous report. He expressed confidence that the findings from that investigation, which concluded there were no violations of the Round Rock City Charter or State Law, still hold true today.

“I have received a copy of the complaint and will fully respond to the Ethics Commission as they may request,” Morgan said. “It is important to note that this concern was investigated thoroughly in 2017. At that time, the investigation revealed that I did not violate the Round Rock City Charter or State Law. There are no new facts under this complaint.”

Looking Ahead

As the community watches closely, a hearing regarding the ethics complaint has been scheduled for October 9. Residents are hopeful that this will open up a dialogue about the city’s financial practices and bring clarity to any concerns regarding the mayor’s role.

Farris has made it clear that her intent is to raise awareness and foster constructive conversation about the city’s dealings, particularly those that could impact its citizens. “I just want people to be aware and to be able to have a conversation about the city’s financial dealings,” she explained.

Amid the swirling discussions, residents of Round Rock await to see how this situation will unfold. The result of the upcoming hearing could play a significant role in shaping the future of leadership in the city and the trust between citizens and their elected officials.