As a unit, how is it rated? What's this DA's office record with respect to previous DA's offices. What is it's conviction production and efficiency record?
How many convictions-to-arrests by category as compared to other DAs in the state and nation?
It seems that the core responsibility of the District Attorney is to remove the bad guys from the street as efficiently as possible. Public Safety.
I would also like to know what the morale situation is, internally. Are the troops happy with this guy?
And how is the general administration of the organization? Aside from the leadership aspect, the DA must be a good administrator.
I'd vote for the guy if he ranked well in these categories.
The present dust up is not an election killer, even if true. He could, after the election, merely express contrition, reimburse the county, promise to be more transparent . . .
and not use Asst DAs (public employees at taxpayer expense) to represent him on personal infractions. That's like using the fund to pay off personal problems.
Why does this remind me of the IRS scandal and the "the dog ate my disk drive" excuse used by the Obama Administration?
Watkins will stall this until after the election, not realizing that if he has nothing to hide, he is handing Susan Hawk a huge issue.
I know several Democrats who are voting for her, simply because they feel Watkins is soft on crime, incompetent, and anything but transparent. That he feels it necessary to prove that is peculiar.
How dare the DMN ask for documents that detail how he spends money from his slush fund - He is obviously above that kind of scrutiny and should be able to spend that money on worthwhile projects such as buying the silence of an accident victim and checking for bugs in his office - Right on Craig
@ozonelarryb There is no question Henry Wade had a reputation of protecting Dallas by stepping on the line sometimes. But, he - helped by Sheriff Smith and the DPD Police Chief - kept organized crime out of Dallas, and made Dallas inhospitable for those wanting to break the law.
Rick Perry, on the other hand, has demonstrated no corruption while in office, and has been popular with voters because he does a good job ... except running for President. :)
google "Henry Wade Civello" or "Henry Wade Binion". the accommodation of organized crime and the DA's office is clear. Wade was a regular player at their poker games.
Rick Perry? "no corruption in office'? guess again..