FORMER AUSTIN CO. TAX ASSESSOR APPEARS IN COURT

  

Former Austin County Tax Assessor-Collector Marcus Peña faced a district judge on charges of first-degree felony theft by a public servant.

Attorneys agreed that a pre-trial hearing will be held December 13^th at 10:30 a.m.  Jury selection for Peña’s trial is set to begin January 22^nd at 9 a.m.

Peña was arrested last January after an accounting error was discovered in the tax office following the accountant’s failed bid for re-election.

Pena served from 2012 to 2016 and was replaced by Kim Rinn.

The theft case was turned over to the Attorney General’s Public Integrity Unit.

Prosecutor Julie Stone of the Attorney General’s Office met with Peña and his attorneys Tuesday morning.  An Austin County probation officer briefly met with the group behind closed doors.

Peña declined comment as he exited the courtroom.