County Judge's assistant arrested for 3rd Degree Felony Tampering with Government Records and making false statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peggy Cornelius, Notary Public

County Judge's office used in Power of Attorney scheme.

Texas Penal Code § 37.10 - Tampering With Governmental Record (a) A person commits an offense if he or she: (1) knowingly makes a false entry in, or false alteration of, a governmental record; (2) makes, presents, or uses any record, document, or thing with knowledge of its falsity and with intent that it be taken as genuine. 

Rusk, TX:

County Judge Chris Davis' secretary and personal assistant has been busted for doing what long term county employees do best within their culture of corruption. Peggy Cornelius has worked in Cherokee County government since 1993 as Chris Davis' handpicked administrator, running Commissioner's Court agenda, and as the county's software custodian. Their friends and family in the County Clerk's office run Cherokee County's election system. Cornelius received her 25 year service award in 2019, even though courthouse officials are gearing up to pretend they never saw her before. Kinfolk use their heir apparent position to help themselves to taxpayer funds, like they've been doing for the last 30 plus years. Cornelius just got caught in her old age.  Charges include tampering with government records, i.e. notarizing a fake Power of Attorney, and lying about it to arresting officers. 

TEXAS PENAL CODE

TITLE 7. OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY

CHAPTER 32. FRAUD

Sec. 32.01.  "Financial institution" means a bank, trust company, insurance company, credit union, building and loan association, savings and loan association, investment trust, investment company, or any other organization held out to the public as a place for deposit of funds or medium of savings or collective investment.

It's not "county business;" it's just a County Auditor using the seal of the County Judge's office to steal someone's property. There's a victim in this case... of bank fraud inside the county... who lives in the county... and whose property is in the county... but it's not "county business."

Peggy Cornelius and another county employee have been under investigation beginning last month according to Sheriff Dickson, after a bank in Jacksonville, TX reported a fraudulent Power of Attorney. Cornelius has been released from Cherokee County jail on $5000 bond along with her co-conspirator in the County Auditor's office. Chris Davis and local media are keeping mum on her arrest. We will update if and when facts are (rarely) reported by outside news agencies. No word from the victim yet, either.

County business as usual.

Cherokee County Commissioners hold regular session 3 days before Court Coordinator Peggy Cornelius posts bond (Aug. 28, 2021 Jacksonville Progress)

After approving next years' budget, Cherokee County Commissioner's Court has other public meetings slated regarding proposed tax rates. Expect these to be closed to the public for the next few weeks while Commissioner's Court goes into damage control.

The case is "ongoing" meaning the nepotism and lying never ends.

County Judge secretary Peggy Cornelius swears Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis into office on Jan. 1, 2019 in the county courtroom at the Cherokee County Courthouse in Rusk. (Courtesy Cherokee Co.) 

 

Peggy Cornelius' job is to make sure County Judge Chris Davis keeps his. Apparently so is the job of the local newspapers.

 

Cornelius has access to the county's entire IT management system and has the goods on every elected official and employee. Expect a speedy resolution to her Felony Tampering charges. Don't expect an explanation in Chris Davis' personal hometown rag, The Cherokeean Herald. After publishing her every trip to the grocery store for the last 30 years, as of last week Peggy Cornelius has ceased to exist. No need for the city newspaper where the crime occurred to inform their readers. If they close their eyes, hold their breath, and write stories about puppy dogs, maybe all this will go away. If they don't mention County Judge Chris Davis by name, maybe his secretary everyone knows will get a fair trial...

 

The suppression of information is the mark of thieves and cowards.

 

Cherokee County employees present to receive their years of service award during the July 9 Commissioner’s Court meeting were, in no particular order, Jennifer Crowley, Judia Husband, Kelly Ray, Marceia Hamilton, Jonathan Hughes, Pam White, Peggy Cornelius and Chris Davis. Also pictured are county commissioners Kelly Traylor, Pct. 1; Steven Norton, Pct. 2; Patrick Reagan, Pct. 3 and Byron Underwood, Pct. 4. (Cherokeean July 11, 2018)

Who is paid to alter county data reporting for property tax purposes?

 

Underlings forged District Judge Bascom Bentley's signature on court documents, so what's wrong with a little fake Power of Attorney to defraud the elderly out of their property?

Cherokee County courthouse employees have access to personal emails, business calls, and first dibs on taxpayer money. Commissioners and those in the family clique enjoy county bulldozers maintaining their private properties, along with yard care provided by probationers. Sex offenders on good behavior are carpooled in for Jury Duty, then dropped off at elementary schools or the local golf course to help clean up the grounds. It's par for the course.

Community Services Director Carl Phillips oversaw 30 years of probated Cherokee County, TX sex offenders. (Former East Texas corrections director molested child for more than 18 months, KETK)

Cherokee County newspapers don't report the crimes committed by their families and friends.

In another all time low in Cherokee County reporting, questions remain if Peggy Cornelius is on permanent leave with full State retirement benefits, or will she continue to notarize county business while out on Felony bond. This will be the first courthouse retirement party in 100 years not advertised in the local newspapers.

As a footnote, Peggy Cornelius relinquished her State of Texas Notary Public seal on the day of her arrest August 27, 2021, and Cherokee County is quietly advertising job openings for her and her co-conspirator's positions.

Peggy Cornelius certifies Cherokee County's annual budget.