Dolcefino Says Jones Plea Sends Message on Public Records

By Greg Ritchie

Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT — Wayne Dolcefino, whose public-information requests helped lead to the criminal case against Crockett City Councilman Darrell Jones, said Jones’ guilty plea should serve as a warning to public officials across Texas.

“Initially, thanks to the DA’s office for taking this seriously,” Dolcefino said. “I think it’s really important because a lot of prosecutors don’t. I hope this sends a message to every public official across the state of Texas that if you play games with us, we will pursue justice.”

Jones pleaded guilty Friday, Aug. 14, to a felony charge of misuse of public information and a misdemeanor charge of failure or refusal to provide public information. According to Houston County District Attorney Daphne Session, Jones received five years of probation on the felony and two years on the misdemeanor. He must also write a letter of apology to the City of Crockett.

The case began after Dolcefino Consulting requested public records connected to Jones and his work as a city council member. A Houston County grand jury later indicted Jones, alleging that he failed or refused to provide public information and disclosed a nonpublic letter of intent related to Project Atticus.

Jones turned himself in to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office on Nov. 21, 2024, and was released after posting a combined $7,500 bond. The case remained pending until Friday’s guilty plea.

Dolcefino said the case illustrates the importance of preserving and providing government records, even when public officials use personal phones or email accounts to conduct city business.

“In the day and age of social media and cell phones, people conduct government business and personal business on the same phone,” Dolcefino said. “The personal stuff is confidential and it should be. But if you do government business, the people’s business, on any device, you have to turn it over.”

Dolcefino said the issue is not necessarily the device being used, but whether government business is being conducted through it.

He said public officials who use personal phones, private email accounts or other devices for city business cannot automatically shield those records from public-information requests.

“The only reason people don’t turn over records is because they’re afraid of what we will find,” Dolcefino said.

Dolcefino said the increasing use of electronic devices has made it easier for cities and other governmental entities to locate and provide records, rather than making public-information requests more difficult.

“A phone bill can be printed out and provided in about two minutes,” he said.

Dolcefino said he has encountered similar problems in communities across Texas, including officials who refuse to provide records or impose fees that make it effectively impossible for requestors to obtain them.

“I’m having this problem all over the state,” he said. “Public officials are systematically ignoring requests for records or they are imposing charges that are so draconian that they know no one can pay them.”

Dolcefino said he believes the public should demand greater transparency from elected officials and governmental agencies.

“The people should say enough of that,” he said.

When asked whether public officials are behaving worse than in the past or whether modern technology has simply made their actions more visible, Dolcefino pointed to the decline of local television and newspapers.

“The reality is the death of local television and local newspapers have made public officials think that nobody is watching,” Dolcefino said. “When they think nobody is watching is when bad things happen.”

Dolcefino said many smaller communities now depend on a local newspaper, blogger or other limited media outlet to monitor government activity. In some communities, he said, those outlets do not have enough distribution to reach a large portion of the population.

“Most people in every single town have no idea now how their local tax money is being spent,” Dolcefino said. “And when that happens, it’s trouble.”

Dolcefino also discussed the role of The Messenger in Crockett and Houston County.

“An organization like The Messenger is exactly what every town needs to have,” he said. “Someone who will watchdog and hold people accountable.”

Dolcefino said the financial challenges facing local newspapers can sometimes affect the way they cover local government. He said many newspapers depend on public notices and other government-related advertising to remain in business, which can make some organizations hesitant to challenge city officials.

“A lot of small-town newspapers now are afraid to challenge City Hall,” he said. “And when that happens, then City Hall goes bonkers because they can do what they want.”

Dolcefino said public accountability ultimately depends not only on journalists and watchdog organizations, but also on voters who pay attention to local government and participate in elections.

He said residents who are dissatisfied with the conduct of their elected officials must make their voices heard at the ballot box.

“But that requires people to get out and vote,” Dolcefino said.

Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]