Dateline: February 28, 2008

McCoy resigns as judge

District Judge David McCoy will step down and forfeit his law license following a settlement agreement reached with the state last Thursday.

McCoy was facing a second degree felony of Theft by a Public Servant and a third degree felony of Abuse of Official Capacity and had been indicted last November.

The indictments charged that McCoy unlawfully appropriated money with the intent to deprive the 100th Judicial District Probation Office. The indictments also charged that he did “intentionally and knowingly misuse government personnel,” namely county employees and items belonging to the government.

Under the terms of the agreement signed by McCoy and District Attorney Pro-tem Harry White, the judge resigned his office effective March 15, gave up his law license and can never have it reinstated, agreed to never run or serve in any public office, and will pay $20,000 in restitution for the benefit of the 100th Judicial District Juvenile Probation Office.

In return, the state agreed to not prosecute McCoy for any case currently under investigation, and the two indictments against the judge will be dismissed.

The settlement was approved by Judge George Gallagher.

In a letter to Gov. Rick Perry on file with the settlement agreement, McCoy said he was “retiring” from his position.

“I wish to express my appreciation to the people of my district and of the State of Texas for giving me the privilege of serving them as district judge and before that as district attorney,” McCoy wrote in the letter.

McCoy has served as district judge since 1993.