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Judge Dismisses Indictments Against Former County Official James Comrey Over Bribery Allegations

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, November 24th 2025 at 17:14 GMT by Fox News

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Judge Tosses Indictments Against James Comrey Amid Allegations of Corruption

In a rare turn of events, a federal judge in Texas has dismissed a set of indictments that had been pending against former county official James Comrey. The ruling, issued Wednesday morning, was the culmination of a long‑running investigation into alleged bribery, conspiracy, and fraud involving a series of high‑profile municipal contracts. Fox News’ Politics Newsletter follows the case closely, noting that the judge’s decision has significant implications for how corruption cases are prosecuted in the state.

The Backstory: A Controversial Contract

James Comrey, a former aide to the mayor of a mid‑size Texas city, had been named in a 2022 indictment that accused him of receiving kickbacks in exchange for steering a lucrative infrastructure contract to a private firm that had paid him off. According to the indictment, Comrey allegedly met with a group of officials and “conveyed to them that the bid from XYZ Construction would be the best value for the city,” while privately receiving $75,000 in bribes from the company’s CEO. The charges were part of a broader investigation into alleged systemic corruption in the city’s public works department.

The case had been the subject of intense scrutiny, with a former whistleblower providing an affidavit that named Comrey among others. The indictment, filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, listed a range of felony counts: conspiracy to commit bribery, fraud, and money laundering. A grand jury had returned the indictment after a 12‑week investigation that included wiretaps and forensic accounting.

The Judge’s Ruling

Judge Linda K. Moffat, who presided over the case, ruled that the indictment was legally defective and ordered it dismissed. In her opinion, Moffat cited “insufficient evidence to establish that the alleged conduct met the statutory elements of the crimes charged.” She noted that the grand jury “failed to witness any direct act of bribery or conspiracy by Mr. Comrey,” and that the evidence was largely circumstantial.

“We have a duty to ensure that the indictment reflects a strong factual basis and the appropriate legal framework,” Moffat wrote. “In the present case, the evidence presented to the grand jury did not substantiate the elements of the alleged crimes.”

Moffat also pointed out that the indictment failed to comply with the requirements of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which mandate that the accused be identified in the indictment by “full name and address.” In this case, the indictment only listed “Comrey” and “City of …,” leaving a crucial detail missing.

The judge’s decision came after the prosecution filed a motion to dismiss the charges, arguing that the indictment’s failure to meet procedural standards was a “show‑stopping” issue. The motion had been pending for weeks, but the judge had delayed making a ruling to gather further information. The final decision was made in a brief but decisive manner, and the judge’s written opinion was posted on the court’s website.

Reactions from All Sides

Comrey’s attorney, Michael G. Rivera, praised the ruling as “a vindication of our client’s rights and a triumph of the rule of law.” Rivera said that his client had been “trapped in a political scandal that was never proven.” He added that the dismissal would likely lead to a de‑emphasis on corruption charges in the region and called for an independent review of the indictment process.

On the other side, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas released a statement that the dismissal “does not preclude further investigation,” and that the prosecutors would review the evidence anew. “The government remains committed to holding accountable those who commit wrongdoing,” the statement read. “We will assess whether new evidence can support a fresh indictment.”

The mayor’s office also weighed in, with the mayor issuing a statement that “while the charges have been dismissed, we will continue to cooperate fully with any ongoing investigations.” He emphasized that the city was “unwilling to allow corruption to take root” and pledged reforms in the procurement process.

Implications for Texas Corruption Cases

The dismissal of James Comrey’s indictments may set a precedent for how corruption cases are handled in Texas. Legal scholars note that the judge’s emphasis on procedural compliance could discourage prosecutors from filing indictments that are not grounded in concrete evidence. Some experts caution that while the ruling protects defendants from weak prosecutions, it could also create a loophole for public officials who believe they can evade accountability through procedural errors.

The decision comes at a time when Texas is under scrutiny for a series of corruption scandals involving public officials, ranging from county treasurers to state legislators. The state’s high-profile corruption investigations have led to a broader debate over the role of grand juries, the standards of evidence required for indictments, and the need for reforms in public procurement.

Fox News’ Politics Newsletter will continue to track the fallout from this case, including potential reforms to the grand jury process and the broader impact on future corruption investigations in Texas. The article’s linked sources include the full text of Judge Moffat’s opinion, the original indictment documents, and the U.S. Attorney’s statement, providing readers with a deeper dive into the legal nuances that shaped this surprising dismissal.