20-Year Texas Prosecutor Convicted of Stealing Office Funds
At the beginning of the week, Ray Sumrow was the district attorney in Rockwall County, Texas. But by the end of the day on Monday, the 20-year prosecutor was a convicted felon, and, by Tuesday, he had, at least temporarily, been removed from office by the judge presiding over the jury trial in a theft-of-public-funds case.
Although he pleaded for probation, Senior Judge John Nelms sentenced Sumrow to four years in prison after his conviction by the jury for theft by a public servant, reports the Dallas Morning News. The case concerns Sumrow’s apparent conversion of $9,652.76 worth of computer equipment and purported business travel expenses for his personal use, according to the article, which says Nelms ordered him to make restitution in that amount.
“A public official, like Caesar’s wife, must be above suspicion,” the judge told Sumrow, who is still facing trial on additional charges including a claim that $68,000 in government expense money was improperly diverted to his personal account. “Certainly a great deal of suspicion hung over your tenure in office, Mr. Sumrow. I’m sure you sent people to prison for far less than the charges against you.”
“Sumrow has steadfastly denied the charges, only admitting to bookkeeping errors,” notes a local CBS News affiliate.
Sumrow, who had faced a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, was honored by the State Bar of Texas as prosecutor of the year in 2001. He is appealing Monday’s conviction and has been released on bond.
Additional coverage:
Herald-Banner (Greenville): “Judge removes Sumrow as Rockwall County DA, sentences him to four years in prison”
