Mayor Turner’s former press secretary faces second criminal charge

Darian Ward, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s former press secretary, during a July 24, 2018, appearance in a Harris County courtroom. >>Screenshots show shocking allegations in her suspension letter from Dec. 2107. less Darian Ward, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s former press secretary, during a July 24, 2018, appearance in a Harris County courtroom. >>Screenshots show shocking allegations in her suspension letter ... more Photo: Steve Gonzales, Staff Photographer / Houston Chronicle Photo: Steve Gonzales, Staff Photographer / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close Mayor Turner’s former press secretary faces second criminal charge 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

Mayor Sylvester Turner’s former press secretary has been charged with abusing her official capacity by misusing her government computer, cell phone and email account for private purposes, according to a charging document filed by the Harris County District Attorney’s office.

Darian Ward, who also was charged last July with refusing to turn over public records, “intentionally and knowingly” misused government property to “obtain a benefit” between March 22, 2014 and Nov. 15, 2017, states the charging document, which was filed Friday. The value of the alleged misuse was estimated to be at least $750 and less than $2,500.

The new charge is listed as a felony on the charging document, but the district attorney’s office said that is a typographical error and the charge is a Class A misdemeanor. A class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to $4,000, up to one year in jail or both.

Ward, who resigned her city post in January, faces a fine of up to $1,000, six months in jail or both under the misdemeanor records charge filed in July. She is accused of failing to turn over roughly 5,000 pages of emails about personal business activities sent or received on her city of Houston email account in response to an open records request by a reporter.

Ward’s attorney, Chris Tritico, has said the emails were not public information and that his client did nothing wrong.

“We’re working toward a resolution of everything, quite frankly,” Tritico said Monday. “Hopefully, in the very near future we’ll have all of this litigation wrapped up for her.”

The mayor’s office declined comment.

Court records show Ward is due in state district court Oct. 18 on the latest charge.

mike.morris@chron.com

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