Ex-Texas mayoral aide indicted for not providing records

HOUSTON – A former press aide for Houston’s mayor has been indicted for allegedly refusing to provide records that had been requested by a reporter.

The Harris County District Attorney’s Office said Thursday that a grand jury had indicted Darian Ward on one count of failure of a public information officer to provide access to public information.

If convicted of the misdemeanour, she faces up to six months in jail. Court records didn’t list her attorney.

Ward resigned as one of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s press secretaries in January after emails were released showing she had used her city email account to promote personal projects, including a proposed reality show.

In a statement Thursday, Turner’s office said the mayor expects every Houston city employee to comply with the Texas Public Information Act.