The Texas Rangers arrested Bosque County Tax Assessor-Collector Arlene Swiney for prohibited communications with the Bosque Central Appraisal District to influence a property appraisal.
According to an affidavit obtained by KXXV, Bosque Central Appraisal District Chief Appraiser Chris Moser filed a complaint against Swiney last March after she repeatedly contacted his office to have him raise the value of an already-appraised property.
She had claimed the property underwent improvements and that the district had undervalued it. Moser also said Swiney had mentioned the property owners “campaigned against” her on one call.
Swiney told investigators she did not recall saying the property owner had campaigned against her. However, when investigators reviewed recordings of several calls, they matched Moser’s claims.
Moser declined to comment on the ongoing investigation but stated that the property owner is “a very prominent Bosque County landowner.”
Moser had even emailed Swiney after she continued to call the office to explain the illegality of her continued communications.
Swiney, an incumbent since 2010, has had previous issues with state enforcement.
In 2023, her office temporarily closed to ensure staff compliance with mandatory annual training. The closure forced county citizens to travel to surrounding counties for their transactions.
Swiney blamed a new state auditor at the Bosque County Republican Party 2024 candidate forum.
“A new auditor came in for the state, and he decided that there might be some misuse and some fraud,” Swiney explained.
Swiney claimed that the state already knew of the situation and that everyone, including herself, passed training again after being required to re-do it. She went on to win the primary and remained unchallenged in the general election.
“We should all strive to be people of integrity,” said Annie Dawson, Swiney’s 2024 primary challenger. “It is very disappointing to learn that a public official has put her own political interest above her duty.”
Swiney has since bonded out of jail. If convicted of the Class A misdemeanor, she faces up to one year in prison and up to $4,000 in fines.
The Bosque County District Attorney’s Office and Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office declined to comment.
The deadline for Texans to file property tax protests is May 15.
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