BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) _ A federal judge has dismissed an indictment against a former Southeast Texas county leader accused of misuse of Hurricane Ike government cleanup funds.
During a court hearing Tuesday in Beaumont, the 27-count indictment against former Liberty County Judge Phil Fitzgerald was thrown out at the request of federal prosecutors.
Beaumont television station KFDM reports the case was dismissed without prejudice, meaning prosecutors can refile charges.
A spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Beaumont says further investigation of the alleged offenses is necessary. Lum Hawthorn, Fitzgerald’s attorney, says his client did nothing illegal.
Fitzgerald had previously admitted making a false claim for federal funds. The judge rejected a plea agreement, saying the deal for three years’ probation wasn’t a strong enough sentence.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)