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Thursday, May 24, 2001
Moff is booked, posts bond
His attorney files motion to quash one indictment
By Guy H. Lawrence
Caller-Times
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| Moff |
George Moff, former chief appraiser of the Nueces County Appraisal District, was formally booked into the county jail Wednesday and released after posting bonds of $5,000 for three felony indictments.
A grand jury last week indicted Moff on charges of abuse of official capacity, misapplication of fiduciary property and felony theft. The grand jury returned the three indictments after interviewing witnesses and hearing evidence during four sessions.
Each of the third-degree felonies carries a punishment of two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Moff's attorney, Mike Hummell, and District Attorney Carlos Valdez would not comment on the case. Both cite District Judge Jack Hunter's order forbidding parties on either side to speak to the media.
Moff didn't return a message left at his George West home.
Early last year, Moff said some of the questioned expenditures were business related, and that the board never allowed him to explain. Also, Moff said he kept some of the items in his truck to prevent theft. He said he intended to return the items.
Hummell also filed a motion to quash one of the indictments because it was vague and could overlap another charge. In his motion, Hummell requested that the indictment for misapplication of fiduciary property be more specific about what charges he made that are questioned and not authorized by the appraisal district's board of directors. No hearing on the motion has been set.
Hunter has tentatively set the trial for January.
The investigation began last year after the appraisal district board of directors released a report in April questioning some $42,000 in expenditures Moff made in the last three years of his employment. The report was forwarded to Texas Ranger Robert Garza who began his investigation in June.
Moff, 66, was the chief appraiser for the district for about 20 years before retiring in January 2000. He retired shortly before questions were raised about the purchases.
Contact Guy H. Lawrence at 886-3792 or at lawrenceg@caller.com
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