Judge apologizes to Round Rock law firm for bribery claim

JAMES MORRIS Cherokee County Justice of the Peace James Morris, Precinct

3, who is also a Baptist preacher, has apologized to the law firm of McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen P.C. Judge Morris's apology was for allegations he made against the firm in a letter to the Texas Attorney General's office. "I was wrong to have made such an allegation," Judge Morris said in a recent news release.

"We are pleased that Judge Morris has apologized. We hope it will resolve any differences we have with him and we can now put this behind us," Harry Allen, spokesperson for the McCreary law firm said Tuesday morning.

Judge Morris had alleged that the firm was paying bribes in making unlawful payments to Cherokee County.

He has not issued an apology to the commissioners court and the two commissioners whom he said violated the Texas Open Meetings Law.

Judge Morris' charges were against Commissioners Kevin Pierce, Precinct 2, and Byron Underwood, Precinct 4.

"These problems have become intolerable and their abuses have risen to the level that action is required by the State of Texas," he said in his letter.

He alleged the commissioners violated the state open meetings law by privately discussing how they would treat him when he requested that the county change his collection agency at their meeting on May 26.