Trump DOJ arrests red state Dem in swing county days before midterms

HOUSTON — Federal prosecutors Thursday announced indictments accusing Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen Turner of theft of government funds and wire fraud.U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz, joined at a Houston news conference by agents from the regional office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and representatives for the Texas Department of Public Safety, alleged that Turner conspired with others to steal thousands of dollars from programs that receive federal funds. “If you didn't already hate tax collectors enough already, we are going to give you a few more reasons today,” Reitz said.Prosecutors said Turner had hired two people as deputy tax clerks, who were in fact working to care for her elderly mother in Houston. One of them, Shermerrylyn Regina Fields, was also indicted Thursday. The other person is cooperating with investigators, Reitz said. Prosecutors also said Turner hired Victor Calvin Ewing, the father of her adult son, to work...