In the face of public calls for an auditor’s firing, a South Texas judge responsible for hiring the auditor has rebuffed a records request. A statement from the auditor shows she may be under investigation.
On August 7, Texas Scorecard sent Judge Roland Andrade of the 63rd District Court in South Texas a Rule 12 request for records regarding Kinney County Auditor Cheryll Jones. This request followed an investigative report about local pleas for her termination.
Like the Texas Public Information Act, Rule 12 of Judicial Administration aims to ensure public access to judicial information, aligning with the Texas Constitution’s mandate for open courts and an independent judiciary.
On August 14, Judge Andrade replied, citing Rule 12.5(k), which exempts records related to investigations of a person’s character or conduct. This exemption does not apply if the investigated person requests the record and the records custodian determines that release would not harm the investigation.
Judge Andrade was asked if his reply indicated he was investigating Jones. He did not respond before publication.
Jones’ response to a comment request indicated there is an investigation.
“Judge Andrade is obligated to review any complaint, regardless of its validity, and will do so as part of his official duties,” Jones wrote in her reply. “My understanding is that he may be nearing the release of his conclusions; however, only Judge Andrade can determine the appropriate timeline.”
On October 8, 2024, Andrade appointed Jones to the position for a two-year term. Applications had been submitted through Val Verde County Auditor Matthew Weingardt—whom Jones was dating and has since married.
Jones’ tenure as auditor has been controversial. Five months after her appointment, the Kinney County Commissioners Court unanimously stated she abused her authority and lost their confidence to serve as county auditor.
Her former assistant, Debbie Buantello, filed a grievance alleging wrongful termination, discrimination, and a hostile work environment. As previously reported, Jones served as Wichita County auditor from 2020 until August 2024, when she was escorted from her office by security.
“The whole county is ready to be up in arms about this. They all want her gone,” Kelly Perry, a citizen in Kinney County, told Texas Scorecard. “There are no more questions to ask. The facts all speak for themselves.”
Perry also commented about Judge Andrade. “I think [he] is a good man, and has been there for Kinney County during the border mess,” she wrote. “I know Judge Andrade knows where we stand on this. I’m not sure why he is not listening to us on this … It’s been 8 months since we made it plain to the Judge how we felt about her.”
As of August 18, Jones is still listed as Kinney County’s auditor.
