Petition Filed To Remove Dallas Co. District Attorney
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A former top administrator inside the Dallas County DA's office fired from her job, now wants the DA removed from office.
She field a petition in court Tuesday to do just that. In addition, Cindy Stormer wants a judge to temporarily take Susan Hawk out of office while the case moves forward.
At a news conference outside the George Allen Courthouse, Fort Worth attorney Kelly Puls said he believes there's a good argument for a judge to put a new DA in office temporarily.
The petition says Hawk is incompetent and her depression and severe mental illness incapacitates her ability to run the office.
The case is being filed by Stormer, a former administrative chief who Hawk fired last month.
Last week Hawk admitted she thought about killing herself twice over the summer while suffering from depression. She says she feels stronger than ever but Puls says Hawk hid her depression from voters and says her past performance this year should disqualify her from staying in office.
"We feel Dallas County needs a competent, mentally trusted District Attorney," said Puls. "Assistant DA's in Dallas work very hard, they work long hours, they are under paid, they deserve a mentor, a leader and we believe Susan Hawk is not that person."
Hawk's attorney Dan Hagood said in response to the petition, "The petition is really a mean spirited re-packaging of Ms Stormers constant wail over her termination from employment. The petition is without legal merit and, if required to do so, Judge Hawk will defend herself and prevail in the courtroom. Meanwhile she is ably performing her duties as our duly elected District Attorney."
Now a district judge will have to decide whether to accept this or dismiss it.
If a judge removes her permanently, Governor Abbott will appoint a new DA.
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