Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg Accuses Lina Hidalgo of Withholding Evidence in Probe Into $11 Million Vaccine Outreach Contract
DA Kim Ogg (L), Judge Lina Hidalgo (R)
Texas – Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg accused Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo of withholding evidence in the investigation into a canceled $11 million vaccine outreach contract.
Kim Ogg demanded Hidalgo provide the evidence under oath to Texas Rangers immediately.
Ogg, a Democrat, also blasted Lina Hidalgo for making “nearly daily public misstatements” about the investigation into the $11 million ‘vaccine outreach contract’ awarded to a one-person firm with no experience in the field.
Hidalgo’s top three staffers were indicted last month after prosecutors expanded their investigation.
Lina Hidalgo knows she’s going to be indicted next which is why she’s lashing out at the District Attorney and trying to smear her investigation as a ‘political vendetta.’
“I expect this political exercise to continue through Election Day. [Kim Ogg] will have me indicted. Or name a ‘special prosecutor’- an illusion of independence since those are still beholden to the DA. She did that before in a political prosecution that went nowhere. I’m not deterred.”
I expect this political exercise to continue through Election Day. She’ll have me indicted. Or name a “special prosecutor”—an illusion of independence since those are still beholden to the DA. She did that before in a political prosecution that went nowhere. I’m not deterred. https://t.co/M9tT1wC0Bn
— Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) May 18, 2022
Hidalgo also trashed the DA in a press conference.
WATCH:
The DA has an agenda, and that agenda is not justice–it’s political. This isn’t the first time she pursues a political vendetta under the guise of a criminal investigation. pic.twitter.com/KBJOvbVfh2
— Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) May 17, 2022
Kim Ogg responded to Lina Hidalgo’s smear campaign and warned her to keep her mouth shut about the ongoing investigation.
KHOU reported (emphasis ours):
On Thursday, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg blasted Hidalgo in a written statement over what she calls “nearly daily public misstatements” made by the county judge. Ogg said she felt compelled to comment about Hidalgo’s recent remarks.
“Failing to do so allows a top county official, in her official capacity, to continue to improperly influence those people of Harris County who will serve on the jury in this case,” Ogg said. “This harms everyone, including the accused, and must stop.”
Ogg, a Democrat in her second term as district attorney, also accused Hidalgo of publicly revealing information not previously known by authorities.
“Judge Hidalgo has referred to case evidence, to information (that) the investigators and prosecutors don’t have,” Ogg said. “She has an ethical duty and responsibility to provide any evidence under oath to the Texas Rangers and she should do so immediately.”
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