Dallas County Commissioners Court Holds First Meeting Since John Wiley Price's Federal Arrest

Price facing censure, calls for resignation from some members of commissioner's court

The Dallas County Commissioners Court may soon be asked to call on Commissioner John Wiley Price to step down following his arrest on federal corruption charges.

The commissioner's court met Tuesday for the first time since Price, accused of conspiracy, bribery, mail and tax fraud, was arrested June 25.

Price said he has no intention of resigning, but that's not stopping Dallas County Republicans from seeking his resignation.

"The allegation is that for the past 10 years, county contracts have been rigged, with Commissioner Price selling his vote and influence to the highest bidder," Dallas County Republican Chairman Wade Emmert told the commissioners at Tuesday's meeting. "You all should call for a resolution requesting that Commissioner Price step down pending the trial."

Commissioner Mike Cantrell is now working on just that, and calling for changes in the way the county does business with outside vendors.

"I'll be looking at some type of resolution, be it the resignation, be it censure, be it stepping back from all contractual obligations during that period of time, during the pendency of the trial," said Cantrell, the lone Republican on the Dallas County Commissioners Court.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins calls it a "political stunt."

"I believe the Republican Party feels this is a good political issue for them to try to entangle other Democrats in," said Jenkins.

Jenkins said the commissioner's court does not have the authority to force Price to step down and that Price has told him personally that he has no intention of resigning.

Price left the building without making any comments.

A judge has set the first trial date for Sept. 29 for Price and three of his co-defendants.

The agenda for the meeting can be found HERE.

CLICK HERE for Complete Coverage of the FBI Investigation of John Wiley Price

 CLICK HERE for The Dallas Morning News' editorial "Will we ever know how badly John Wiley Price damaged Dallas County?

Contact Us