Former Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Found Guilty of Fraud – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

A former Tarrant County magistrate has been convicted of tampering with a authorities file.

In keeping with the Tarrant County Legal District Legal professional’s Workplace, Jacqueline Wright, who was justice of the peace for Precinct 4 from 1991 to 2018, was discovered responsible on three counts of falsifying homestead exemptions by a Tarrant County jury on Wednesday.

Visiting Decide Daryl Coffey sentenced her to 4 years probation, 10 days in jail and a $2,500 wonderful, the Tarrant County Legal District Legal professional’s Workplace stated.

The Tarrant County Legal District Legal professional’s Workplace stated the decide additionally required her to write down a 50-page essay apologizing to the courtroom and public for her habits. The essay have to be written and printed within the subsequent 90 days.

In keeping with the Tarrant County Legal District Legal professional’s Workplace, 74-year-old Wright dedicated the felony crimes by falsely making use of for and receiving a homestead exemption for a house the place she didn’t stay between 2015 and 2018.

Throughout the trial, testimony revealed Wright was not dwelling in Precinct 4, as required, when she ran for re-election as magistrate between 2012 and 2018, the Tarrant County Legal District Legal professional’s Workplace stated.

Testimony additionally confirmed the day after Wright filed for re-election in 2018, she modified a water invoice into her title to make it seem that she lived in a house which she leased to a renter in Precinct 4, the Tarrant County Legal District Legal professional’s Workplace stated.

Jacqueline Wright “is aware of what the regulation is, she is aware of what she is doing, she wished the tax advantages,” Whelchel, chief of the White Collar and Public Integrity staff, informed the jury. “She is responsible of this crime.”

In keeping with the Tarrant County Legal District Legal professional’s Workplace, the workplace started investigating the case after receiving a criticism that Wright didn’t stay within the district the place she sought re-election.

Throughout the investigation, fraudulent homestead exemptions have been discovered, the Tarrant County Legal District Legal professional’s Workplace stated.

“It was [Wright’s] job to serve the general public, not be a deceiver. That’s what she did for a very long time. That’s what the general public integrity unit is about, to carry us accountable,” Whelchel stated. “We ask you to carry her accountable for what she has achieved, it doesn’t matter what the lie was, and maintain her and all of us public officers accountable.”