It’s likely to be about three months before Justice of the Peace Billy Martin determines how a 31-year-old Hewitt teacher died.

Martin held an inquest hearing Wednesdaytimony from an ongoing civil trial by Joe Rodriguez, the chamber’s executive director, should raise enough questions to open a criminal investigation.

In June, Rodriguez testified that he had used the chamber’s credit card to pay for a $106 pair of shoes during a trip to Las Vegas. Rodriguez also testified that he had previous authorization from the chamber’s board of directors to make such personal purchases as long as he reimbursed the chamber for the expense, which he said he has done.

“I don’t know the legal ramifications of all this,” Sustaita said. “This is why we are seeking guidance from our district attorney. If he can tell us there is nothing he can do and that we need to go elsewhere, that is what we will do.”

Segrest directed the petitioners to the Waco Police Department to investigate their claims.

Sustaita said he has submitted the petition, which was signed by about 30 individuals, to the police department, the Texas Lottery Commission, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and the Texas Attorney General.

equinn@wacotrib.com

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