Reversal in jail development impropriety claim

MONTGOMERY COUNTY (KTRK) -- In December, Montgomery County Attorney JD Lambright sent demand letters to a former county commissioner and former county auditor alleging the pair had not been completely honest with the taxpayers.

One claim in the letter to former Commissioner Ed Chance was particularly powerful: "While the County was over-paying for the (Jail & Mental Health Facility), you were personally profiting."

Lambright suggested in the letter that Chance engaged in self-dealing and that he got an improper loan from the developer of the jail. Indeed, Lambright threatened to file suit to get back $500,000 from chance. He also wanted nearly $250,000 from the former auditor.

Chance denied any wrongdoing from the beginning, as did the county auditor.

But in a sharp reversal Monday, Montgomery County -- and county taxpayers -- are shelling out the money.

Chance is getting $40,000 in a settlement with the county; the auditor is getting $10,000 and also makes clear that the auditor was satisfactorily doing her job.

The parties agreed not to sue each other in the future.

Lambright declined comment on if he agreed with the settlement.

Chance attorney Michael Hinton said he was grateful for the settlement, with a caveat.

"No dollar amount can make up for the harm done to him by (the County Attorney)," he said.

The county still has a demand letter out to the jail developer seeking $12 million. The developer has denied any wrongdoing.

There is no update on a settlement in that matter.

Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon investigated possible improprieties in connection with the jail development. No charges were ever filed.

Our Houston Community Newspaper partner, The Courier of Montgomery County, contributed to this report.