CLEBURNE -- Former Johnson County Commissioner John Matthews wept Tuesday as he pleaded guilty to three criminal charges including theft by a public servant, tampering with public records, failing to report outside income and abuse of power.
Matthews was sentenced to four years in prison on charges of theft by a public servant and purchasing products from a vendor while receiving payments from the vendor. He got five years probation for tampering with a public record. He also must pay the county $5,000 in restitution.Matthews was led away in handcuffs. He took a plea deal instead of going through a lengthy jury trial that was set to start in September."It does not give me one bit of pleasure to do this," said Johnson County District Attorney Dale Hanna. "When you are elected to one of these positions, you've got to do what is right."Matthews declined to comment.His attorney, Tim Evans of Fort Worth, however, issued a written statement stating that this "is a sad day for Mr. Matthews, his family and Johnson County. He has accepted responsibility, and looks forward to getting this behind him and rejoining his family."Matthews was the Precinct 2 commissioner for more than eight years before he resigned in June. He was indicted in December.Matthews' plea brings to an end a case that stems from a five-month investigation which began with a county auditor's report that found that he used his county-issued Home Depot credit card to purchase toilet paper, laundry soap and other products already on hand from other vendors.The indictment outlined the charges against Matthews which included allegations that he funneled more than $300,000 in county funds to Gulf Energy company while accepting an undisclosed amount in checks and cash payments from the company's agent.Matthews was also accused of directing his officer to purchase more than $400,000 in products from Gulf Energy in 2009 and 2010.Besides failing to report outside income form Gulf, Matthews is also accused of failing to report outside income from Confab Construction and from Rig Structures LLC, Hardee Landry and their agents and Waste Facilities and their agents.He was also accused of using a county-issued Home Depot credit card to purchase from $1,500 to $20,000 in supplies including Christmas lights, pool products, paper products over a three-year period.Elizabeth Campbell, 817-390-7696Twitter: @fwstlizHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
