Tarrant County DA's Civil Division Chief Resigns
FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - The head of the Tarrant County District Attorney's Civil Division has resigned after he was placed on administrative leave.
District Attorney Sharon Wilson released a statement Friday morning announcing the appointment of Russell Friemel as the Interim Civil Division Chief.
Earlier this month, CBS 11's Jack Fink reported that Harris' leave could involve harassment allegations. CBS 11 has tried to ask Harris about the allegations, but he has not commented.
Wilson has not commented about the situation either, but released the following statement earlier this month: "There is a matter under review, and until the review is completed he is on administrative leave. As it's a personnel matter, we don't have any further comment at this point."
Wilson hired Harris earlier this year, announcing he had worked 17 years for the Texas Attorney General's Office. Wilson was elected after Joe Shannon, former Tarrant County DA, chose not to run for reelection after sexual harassment claims against him. Shannon denied the allegations, however Tarrant County paid his accuser $300,000 to settle the claims.
In her statement, Wilson touts Russ' nearly two decades of experience as a Tarrant County Civil Assistant Criminal District Attorney. He also worked for a decade as Assistant General Counsel for the State Bar of Texas and served with the Victoria County and Hays County District Attorneys offices. Russ also has 30 years of active duty and reserve service from the military.
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