ELGIN, Texas — On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Rangers to investigate the city of Elgin for potential violations of state law related to financial management.
The investigation will examine the city’s budgeting processes and financial practices, Abbott said. Once completed, any charges will be referred to prosecutorial authorities.
“There have been serious and potentially criminal accusations made against the City of Elgin that need to be investigated,” Abbott said. “Texans expect their elected officials to be honest stewards of taxpayer dollars and conduct the people’s business openly, and in compliance with Texas law.”
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Abbott accused the city of “chronic financial mismanagement, including inconsistent accounting practices and unreconciled bank accounts” that could violate multiple state laws.
The Elgin City Council is scheduled to hold a public workshop Nov. 5 to discuss findings from annual audits for fiscal years 2022-23 and 2023-24, according to a city press release issued Tuesday.
The city said no criminal activity or missing funds were reported in the audits, and there was no indication of wrongdoing by city staff or council members. Any discrepancies in the fund balance were attributed to accounting practices the city no longer uses, according to the release.
CBS Austin reached out to the city for a statement.