Fulshear mayor arrested and accused of stealing

(3/20/07 - FULSHEAR, TX) (KTRK) -- He was elected to lead a city, but now the mayor of a community in Fort Bend County is in jail fighting serious allegations.

The mayor of Fulshear turned himself in today, after being indicted by a grand jury, but he says he didn't do anything wrong.

Mayor James W. Roberts is charged with theft, official oppression and attempted official oppression. Authorities say he gave away something that wasn't his to give and even took one himself.

Heading into Fulshear, you no longer see the metal carports that residents say stood here for years as an eyesore.

"They are trying to clean up the town," said resident Gina Winnie. "Beautify the town is what they call it."

But authorities say Mayor Roberts went too far in attempting to do so.

"The mayor was charged with unlawfully removing the property, whether it was on city property or not, and misappropriating the property by making personal use of it," said Chief Craig Brady of the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office.

The mayor surrendered himself at the Fort Bend Sheriff's Office this morning and was arrested. He was indicted by a Fort Bend grand jury yesterday and was charged with a theft. That's a felony in this case since Roberts is a public official.

Even though these carports were owned by someone else, authorities say the mayor told someone who wanted to buy them that he could have one of them if he would take the other and put it on the mayor's property.

"In my opinion, they are politically motivated," said Robert's attorney Dennis Morgan. "I believe that it is a waste of the taxpayers' money. I believe on final review my client will be vindicated and people will be very upset at the waste of time."

Morgan says he looks forward to presenting evidence at trial.

"We're going to aggressively investigate this case and show that it should have never come forward," the attorney added.

The official oppression and attempted official oppression charges, officials say, are due to Roberts allegedly threatening the person who owns those carports. The city council has scheduled a special meeting tonight, although this issue is not on the agenda.

We spoke with the city attorney about this issue and he says Roberts will not be affected by these charges as far as his standing as mayor. He will continue to be mayor until this case goes through the course of prosecution and trial. If he is found guilty, then they will address the issue of what might happen to him.

Late today, the mayor issued a statement saying the allegations are built on politically motivated false statements.

"I stand with my family bolstered by our faith in God and we will seek justice," the statement said. "Patience will be difficult, but I shall be vindicated."

If convicted, Roberts could go to state prison for up to two years. We'll let you know what happens.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•