Maverick County Attorney Files Motion to Dismiss
Maverick County Attorney Jaime Iracheta has filed a detailed legal response to a petition seeking his removal from office. The petition, submitted by former receptionist Claudia White, alleges misconduct, harassment, and other inappropriate actions during her tenure. In his response, Iracheta strongly denies all allegations, challenges the legal sufficiency of the petition, and requests the court dismiss the case.
Key Allegations and Defense
The petition, filed in the 365th Judicial District Court, claims that Iracheta engaged in inappropriate advances and verbal harassment while serving as County Attorney. White alleges she endured a hostile work environment but remained employed until November 15, 2024, when she resigned after submitting a two-week notice. Iracheta’s legal team argues that these allegations, even if true, fail to constitute “official misconduct” under Texas law.
Under the Texas Local Government Code §87.013, an elected official may only be removed for incompetence, intoxication, or official misconduct. Official misconduct is specifically defined as “intentional, unlawful behavior relating to official duties.” Iracheta’s filing emphasizes that White’s claims involve personal conduct unrelated to his professional responsibilities, and therefore fall outside the scope of this statute.
Additionally, the defense highlights a critical legal safeguard that prevents removal for acts occurring before an official’s reelection. All of the allegations against Iracheta predate his November 5, 2024, reelection, and Texas law views reelection as a public ratification of an official’s prior conduct.
Procedural and Evidentiary Concerns
Iracheta’s attorneys also point to procedural deficiencies in White’s petition. The filing notes that her allegations lack specific dates, details, or corroborating evidence, which undermines their credibility. Moreover, the defense highlights that White returned to work for the County Attorney’s Office after the alleged misconduct and remained employed until voluntarily resigning. This timeline, they argue, contradicts claims of a hostile or unsafe work environment.
The legal response also contends that the petition is an attempt to misuse the court system to discredit Iracheta following her termination and a salary dispute. White was officially terminated on November 18, 2024, following the discovery of an overpayment issue, and was directed to resolve the matter with the County Auditor’s Office.
The case underscores the high legal threshold required to remove an elected official under Texas law. Claims of personal misconduct, while serious, must be directly tied to official responsibilities to meet the statutory definition of official misconduct. This strict standard reflects a commitment to protecting the democratic process and preventing misuse of removal statutes for personal or political purposes.
Presumption of Innocence
It is important to note that all allegations against Jaime Iracheta remain unproven, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The burden of proof lies with Claudia White to demonstrate that her claims meet the strict legal criteria for removing an elected official.
As the case proceeds, the court will consider both the motion to dismiss and the request to seal sensitive information. The outcome will likely have broader implications for how similar cases are handled, particularly in balancing allegations of misconduct with legal safeguards for public officials and private individuals.
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