Dallas County District Attorney Hawk said she is anxious to get back to work after a lawsuit to remove her from office was dismissed by a visiting judge from San Antonio Friday.
“Just having this behind me, it’s like a black cloud is over our office and it needs to go away, because we are doing fantastic things,” Hawk said.
Sworn statements in the case from former employees said Hawk was incompetent and committed official misconduct in office before she received months of inpatient mental health treatment last year.
Former Judge Hawk took office as District Attorney in January 2015. By March 2015, she had fired several top people she hired for her new staff.
Fired prosecutor Cindy Stormer filed the lawsuit.
“And I was doing this for the citizens of Dallas and I wish Miss Hawk the best of luck. I’m glad she got the treatment she needed,” Stormer said.
In court Friday, Hawk’s attorneys admitted she has suffered depression since seventh grade and that a severe bout of paranoia and depression arose after taking office in January 2015. But they argued Hawk is receiving ongoing care and should be treated like Texas Governor Greg Abbott who performs his duties despite a disability.
A dozen current Hawk employees provided sworn statements saying the district attorney has performed at a high level since she returned from treatment.
“This also shows that folks that have mental illness can be successful, can lead productive lives and be leaders and I hope that that message gets out there,” Hawk said.
Ellis County District Attorney Patrick Wilson was assigned to pursue the removal lawsuit. He argued in court that allegations of illegal drug use and Hawk’s 11 week disappearance while receiving inpatient treatment are among several issues that justified taking the lawsuit to trial. Wilson also wanted Hawk removed from office pending a jury verdict since current employees would be likely trial witnesses.
“Obviously my personal opinion was that the case should advance. However, I have no emotional stake in the outcome of this. This is Dallas County’s problem, not mine,” Wilson said.
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Stormer still has a wrongful termination lawsuit pending that could raise the same issues. And several potential candidates are already talking about election campaigns for the Dallas district attorney job as Susan Hawk works to put problems behind her.
