Fort Bend County's tax assessor-collector, Carmen Turner, is under fire after a search warrant revealed that she allegedly misused government funds to pay her employees to care for her mother over an eight-month period.
According to the investigation, which was sparked by a former employee who posted about "corruption" in the Fort Bend County tax office on Facebook, Turner's actions were deemed improper. The auditor's office conducted the probe after receiving a complaint from the former employee, who claimed that Turner had directed her to pay her employees out of county funds.
The search warrant obtained by investigators shows that Turner's mother needed care between October 2023 and June 2024, while two employees allegedly worked together to provide care for eight months. The documents reveal text messages between the two employees, which confirm their collaboration in caring for Turner's mom.
It is also reported that these two employees were paid a total of $27,020.56 using county funds, despite violating tax office policy regarding clocking in and out. According to payroll records, this payment was made over an eight-month period.
The case has been handed over to the Harris County District Attorney's Office, which confirmed the news after the Fort Bend County DA's office recused themselves from the investigation.
When asked about Turner's involvement, her representatives declined to comment.
According to the investigation, which was sparked by a former employee who posted about "corruption" in the Fort Bend County tax office on Facebook, Turner's actions were deemed improper. The auditor's office conducted the probe after receiving a complaint from the former employee, who claimed that Turner had directed her to pay her employees out of county funds.
The search warrant obtained by investigators shows that Turner's mother needed care between October 2023 and June 2024, while two employees allegedly worked together to provide care for eight months. The documents reveal text messages between the two employees, which confirm their collaboration in caring for Turner's mom.
It is also reported that these two employees were paid a total of $27,020.56 using county funds, despite violating tax office policy regarding clocking in and out. According to payroll records, this payment was made over an eight-month period.
The case has been handed over to the Harris County District Attorney's Office, which confirmed the news after the Fort Bend County DA's office recused themselves from the investigation.
When asked about Turner's involvement, her representatives declined to comment.
. Like, we're all taught from a young age that with great power comes great responsibility, but I guess even tax assessor-collectors can fall victim to our own weaknesses and biases 
. It's crazy to think about how two employees could be so compromised by their emotions and friendship that they'd bend the rules for someone else 
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. But at the end of the day, it's all just a reminder that no one is above the law and that we've got to hold ourselves accountable for our actions 
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Can you believe this? Like, we're already paying our moms to care for them... I mean, I get it, some people have great moms! But come on, Carmen Turner, did you think nobody would notice? 
The phrase 'using county funds' just made me laugh - sounds like she was trying out for a role in a comedy movie! Anyway, glad the DA's office is taking this one seriously. Guess you could say her employees were 'collecting' more than just tax payments from their bosses! 
meanwhile, we got other ppl strugglin 2 make ends meet
what's going on here? So Carmen Turner is being taken down for allegedly misusing public funds to pay her mom's caregivers and she just happens to have two employees who are willing to vouch for her... how convenient? 
source, anyone?
. And to think she did it for like, 8 whole months! That's a lotta clout... and also a lotta red tape 
. I feel bad 4 the employees involved tho, they must've felt so trapped 
. The DA office is handling this now, hope they get Turner 2 accountability 
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. And what really gets me is that these two employees were violating office policy left and right, and still managed to get paid... all on taxpayers' dime 
. The fact that Turner's reps aren't commenting? Total joke 
. Transparency is key, especially when it comes to public officials and their actions 
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We gotta remember that with great power comes even greater scrutiny & consequences, especially when public funds are involved 
. And 27k plus in county funds? That's just straight up embezzlement 
. The fact that her reps arent saying anything is just giving me more tea 
. This is gonna be a wild ride, stay tuned! 
. The fact that Turner’s representatives won’t comment is like they're trying to hide something... hope the DA's office does its job and brings everyone involved to justice 
. If someone's gonna break the rules, they gotta face the music. I hope Carmen Turner gets the consequences she deserves and that her employees don't get off scot-free either 
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the fact that 2 employees were paid $27k+ using county funds for an 8-month period is just crazy. it's like they thought they were above the law or something? 
and it made me think of how much i love watching birds on tv i swear those nature documentaries are the best ever have u seen any good ones lately? i just started watching this one show about monarch butterflies and they're so fascinating! also, can we talk about the best foods to eat while watching tv snacks are a must 
This is a total red flag for Carmen Turner and the tax office in Fort Bend County. I mean, who uses county funds to pay employees to care for their own mum? 
The auditor's office did their job and investigated, but I'm not sure why the DA's office had to recuse themselves from the case.
This is so shady! I mean, who does that?! 
The fact that they were paid out of the office's budget without following proper procedure is just ridiculous. And to think that they were violating tax office policy... it's like, hello?! This is why people distrust government officials! 
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