Local
Kleberg official faces inquiry
Prosecutor may have intervened on behalf of aunt facing felony
By Dan Kelley (Contact)
Originally published 12:00 a.m., July 13, 2007
Updated 04:18 a.m., July 13, 2007
Isassi suggested politics might be behind the investigation.
Isassi suggested politics might be behind the investigation.
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Alfred Isassi describes himself as a career prosecutor. Since graduating from law school in 1999, he has handled felony cases for the District Attorney's Office, and now is the elected Kleberg County attorney, where he oversees misdemeanor prosecutions.
Isassi may find himself on the other side of the courtroom. A judge has appointed a special prosecutor to investigate a nearly two-year-old allegation that Isassi intervened improperly on behalf of an aunt, Anna Gonzalez, arrested on felony perjury charges after being accused of failing to disclose an earlier theft conviction when being chosen to serve on a grand jury.
Isassi hasn't been formally notified of an investigation.
District Attorney Carlos Valdez said the investigation stems from allegations that his former employee interfered with the Kleberg County's Pretrial Services Division. After Gonzalez was arrested, Valdez said, she was released from jail but had to comply with some terms of a pretrial release program.
Isassi is accused of calling the office and asking that his aunt not be made to comply with those terms because the district attorney was not going to prosecute. Valdez added that a witness told investigators Isassi said he had talked to the DA about the case. He had not, Valdez said.
"He never talked to any of us," Valdez said. He has recused his office from the case because he and two top aides could be made to testify.
Isassi said he was not able to recall any conversation with that department regarding the matter.
Valdez, as district attorney for the 105th Judicial District, prosecutes felony cases in Nueces, Kleberg and Kenedy counties. That will change in September when Gov. Rick Perry can appoint a district attorney for Kleberg and Kenedy counties, the result of new legislation passed this year.
Isassi is seeking that appointment.
District Judge Manuel Bañales appointed Retha Cable, an assistant district attorney in San Patricio and Aransas counties, to investigate and prosecute the matter if a grand jury hands up an indictment.
She declined to comment on the case, and said she would present some evidence to a grand jury on July 19.
Noel Peña, director of the Kleberg County Supervision and Direction Department, said his office has provided statements to investigators but declined to elaborate. He said he was surprised to hear that the investigation is still ongoing.
"I'm totally surprised that something developed," Peña said.
The 2005 arrest also caused problems for Gonzalez. At the time of her arrest, she had served on a grand jury for four months. Authorities discovered she had a theft conviction, making her ineligible for grand jury service. She was charged with perjury because she hadn't disclosed the conviction. Prosecutors had to re-present about 100 cases to the grand jury, Valdez said. She now is undergoing a pretrial diversion program that could lead to dismissal of charges.
Attempts to reach Gonzalez on Thursday were unsuccessful.
It is unclear why the case has taken so long to investigate. Valdez believes Kingsville police referred the matter to a federal agency.
Peña said he was unaware of any federal investigation.
Kingsville Police Chief Ricardo Torres declined comment.
Isassi suggested politics might lay behind the investigation.
"You're talking about something that happened over two years ago," Isassi said.
Isassi had just returned from visiting a prominent Republican -- he won't say who -- in hopes that the person would intercede with Perry to secure appointment to the district attorney's office.
Kleberg County Commissioner Romeo Lomas concurs that politics could play a role in the timing of the investigation.
"I think some might be political," Lomas said, "because he's given notice to everyone in the county that he is going to run for that DA."
Contact Dan Kelley at 886-4316 or kelleyd@caller.com
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Posted by sgran77482 on July 13, 2007 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Valdez trying someone for perjury???That is laughable!!!
Posted by colorderosa on July 13, 2007 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Politics, politics, politics, the dirty, lowdown and sometimes just plain hateful, even if true or false, it will bring anyone down and the people behind this, will be the winners and will surface when they run for this position. It's just too bad it had to happen in Kleberg County, AGAIN, and as usual the press and media will milk it for all they can.
Posted by newsman on July 13, 2007 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is a shame but 95% of all politicians give the rest a bad name.
Posted by dannoynted1 on July 13, 2007 at 10:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hello ~technically Ms. Anna is ineligible for pre trial diversion because she has been convicted of a "crime"!
Watt did she steal? or watt "theft"?
Did she steal an egg roll?
Did she steal "Mary Cano's milk money?
or maybe she indicted people because her nephew said so.
Posted by dannoynted1 on July 13, 2007 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i hope Alfred hires John Kearney that way they both can be "the prosecution" darlings they worked so hard in law school for.
How does it feel?
Perry progressive Vanos
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