News

UPDATE: Testimony resumes in Walker trial

 

Three more witnesses have taken the stand to testify in the federal prosecution of Calvin Walker since the jury returned from a lunch break on the fourth day of testimony in the proceedings. One was an employee for a subcontractor listed by Walker in documents submitted to various entities including a bonding company.

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New e-mail scam claims to be the BBB

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is warning residents across the state of a new e-mail scam is hitting inboxes.

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Questions remain as to who leaked Mercer Report

In the true holiday spirit of giving, someone from the Port Arthur City Hall leaked a rough draft of the city’s performance review to the media. The official, final copy of what is affectionately known as The Mercer Report is expected sometime in January, although there is an outside chance it could be finished and released before the end of the year.

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Man killed in Vidor home fire

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to 297 Pug Road in Vidor to assist the Orange County Emergency Services District #1 with a house fire Tuesday night, Dec. 6. Once deputies arrived on scene, they were alerted that one adult was possibly still inside the burning residence completely engulfed in flames.

When the fire was extinguished, the body of homeowner Howard Asa Baker, 49, was discovered.

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Update: Day 3 concludes in Walker trial

 

Multiple witnesses took the stand to testify in the federal case alleging Calvin Walker of Walker’s Electric Company fraudulently overcharged the Beaumont Independent School District millions of dollars during the third day of presenting evidence in the proceeding.

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Calvin Walker trial Thursday, Dec. 8

The trial of BISD contract electrician Calvin Walker continued Thursday, Dec. 8, at 8:30 a.m.

Returning to the stand was FBI agent Tim Brewer, who executed a search warrant on Walker's home in 2010. He testified as to evidence collected from the residence before prosecutors called a document analyst to explain to the jury the significance of the materials collected during the seizure of items from Walker's home and business.

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Walker trial

The third day of testimony in the federal court case alleging Calvin Walker of Walker's Electric defrauded taxpayers and BISD began Dec. 7. Still on the stand from yesterday was Chris Rybacki of Summit Electrical Supply, the warehouse Walker reportedly purchased supplies from to complete numerous BISD projects.

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Police hunting for suspect in Old Town robberies

The Beaumont Police Department reported that it is looking for 18-year-old Caleb Broussard.

Broussard has two aggravated robbery warrants with $25,000-dollar bonds for each warrant. He has been identified as being part of the robberies in Old Town. The investigation is continuing, according to police.

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Opening statements in Walker trial

After a lengthy jury selection process, 10 women and two men were seated to hear the case against Calvin Walker, of Walker's Electric Company, where the Bob Rawls with the U.S. Attorney Office for the Eastern District of Texas will try to convince them that Walker defrauded taxpayers by falsifying invoices and requests for payment submitted to the district for payment.

"This case is about greed," Rawls told the jury. "It is a violation of the public trust and theft of public funds."

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UPDATE: Day 2 of Walker Trial

12:51 P.M. UPDATE:

Rounding out the morning's testimony in the federal prosecution of Calvin Walker was the questioning of BISD purchasing agent Naomi Lawrence-Lee.

Walker's defense attorney, Dick DeGuerin, cross examined Lee, who is the prosecution's second witness. Lee was asked questions related to BISD's maintenance contract with  Walker and how the electrician was paid for services.

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