District Attorney Fred Weber sent the following statement to local media following the July 23 commissioners court meeting:

On Tuesday afternoon the Assistant District Attorney assigned to act as legal counsel to the Commissioners Court informed me that he and Judge Haden had entered into separate sales contracts with a business seeking to purchase their adjoining ranches in Caldwell County. 

Historically Judge Haden and the attorney have been responsible for negotiations between similar companies and Caldwell County regarding development agreements, tax abatements and related issues.  As such they could be perceived as having inside knowledge, resources and contacts not available to the general public. 

In my opinion, this transaction could be seen by the citizens we work for as having an appearance of impropriety and a  potential conflict of interest due to their roles as public employees. 

I am ultimately accountable for the actions of my employees.  I am obligated to address any conduct by an employee that I feel could cast doubt on the integrity of the District Attorney’s Office and the attorney in question is no longer an employee. 

I firmly believe that private citizens have the right to sell their property to whomever they wish.  However, when someone chooses to be a public servant, they assume an obligation to be completely transparent in any business dealings that could intersect with the interests of the people they represent. 

Based on the information I have at this time, I have no reason to believe that anything illegal has occurred.  It is my understanding that the company has had no previous business dealings with Caldwell County and that no agreements have been negotiated. Additionally, the Assistant District Attorney did not perform private legal work for Judge Haden. It is my intent to verify that this information is correct.   

My concern is strictly the appearance of the transaction due to their positions as public servants.