This article has been updated since publication to include comment from the City of Elgin.
Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Rangers will open an investigation into the City of Elgin for potential violations of state law.
“There have been serious and potentially criminal accusations made against the City of Elgin that need to be investigated,” said Abbott.
Texans expect their elected officials to be honest stewards of taxpayer dollars and conduct the people’s business openly, and in compliance with Texas law. Due to the accusations of chronic financial mismanagement, including inconsistent accounting practices and unreconciled bank accounts, in potential violation of multiple state laws, I directed the Texas Rangers to launch an investigation into the City of Elgin’s finances to ensure transparency and full compliance with state law.
As previously reported by Texas Scorecard, on October 21, City Councilmember Tiffany St. Pierre accused Democrat Mayor Theresa McShan of not wanting a forensic audit to examine the mismanagement of funds during the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years.
Heated arguments ensued during a council meeting after an annual financial audit revealed a $6 million deficit in the City of Elgin’s account.
McShan was elected in May of 2023 as mayor of the small town in Bastrop County.
“We’re not going to go back and try to figure out what all did happen,” said McShan at the time.
A spokesperson for the City of Elgin told Texas Scorecard the city “will cooperate fully with Governor Abbott’s recently announced investigation into the City’s finances. Recent audits conducted by an independent auditing firm for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 found no evidence of wrongdoing or criminal activity and no missing funds. Any issues discovered in the audits concerning accounting procedures are being addressed with current staff.”
