Wednesday, November 05, 2008
By Tommy Witherspoon
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Margaret Mills, on trial this week for felony theft, and her son were named defendants in a personal injury lawsuit Tuesday.
Matthew Short and Nicole Short are seeking unspecified damages from Mills and her son, Richard Coke Mills III, for injuries suffered by the Shorts’ child in a traffic accident on Lake Air Drive in Waco on April 30.
Margaret Mills, 67, is on trial in Waco’s 54th State District Court after pleading guilty to third-degree felony theft charges while serving as executive director of Downtown Waco Inc.
She said Tuesday after her trial recessed that the lawsuit against her and her son has been settled by her insurance company for an undisclosed amount.
The lawsuit, filed in Waco’s 414th State District Court, is what is known as a “friendly suit,” said Mills’ attorney, Rick Bostwick. That type of lawsuit is required to be filed when minors are involved so the court can appoint an attorney for the child to ensure his rights are protected, Bostwick said.
The suit, filed Tuesday, remains pending, according to court records.
According to a Waco Police Department report from the accident, Richard Coke Mills III, who was driving his mother’s car, was arrested after the incident for suspicion of drunken driving.
Those DWI charges remain pending, according to county records. He also was arrested for suspicion of DWI in October 2006. Those charges were not pursued by the McLennan County district attorney’s office, according to records.
twitherspoon@wacotrib.com
757-5737
Comments
By unreal
Nov 7, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Classic. DWI paid for the son to avoid two DWI's. Would someone please contact 20/20 or dateline or any journalist worth their salt who won't be intimated or allowed to be paid off to crack this untold story wide open.
Go to the website of the Texas Governor and fill out a complaint form requesting that the AG come back and file on the forgery charges, federal charges, and bank fraud. Let them stack more years on the sentence and get the rest of the restitution she owes for her friends to pay. If enough people demand action, they will have to do it.
By Alice in Wacoland
Nov 6, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
James, I imagine the reason the D.A. didn't pursue DWI charges back in 2006, or yet for the April 2008 DWI for junior - is because Coke Mills (big time attorney) has been very influential in McLennan County Democratic politics for years. I imagine also because Maggie has a lot of connections from her days of running Downtown Waco, Inc. Justice isn't blind, unfortunately.
By Alice in Wacoland
Nov 6, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
James, I imagine the reason the D.A. didn't pursue DWI charges back in 2006, or yet for the April 2008 DWI for junior - is because Coke Mills (big time attorney) has been very influential in McLennan County Democratic politics for years. I imagine also because Maggie has a lot of connections from her days of running Downtown Waco, Inc. Justice isn't blind, unfortunately.
By StickyFingersMillsDowntownWaco
Nov 6, 2008 6:43 AM | Link to this
This is a case of "Mills on Wheels".
By Dudley Haas
Nov 6, 2008 4:55 AM | Link to this
Sounds a lot like my family.
By billyb
Nov 6, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
Some families can handle rich elite status better than others.
She's a crook and the boys a drunk. It can't be any simplier than that folks. Oh, and if a drunk takes out a member of your family you will be making different post then my friends.
By grundoon
Nov 6, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this
My god, you awesome people are so smart and knowledgeable and wise. Where do you get all this information? I sure wish I had your connections..... You know it all, understand it all, and tell it all! I am in awe....
By James Valley Mills
Nov 5, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this
The D.A.s office needs to answer this, Why wasn't the DWI charge pursued in 2006?. If it were me or my child it sure would have been, as it should be. Lawyers families shouldn't get off the hook, scott free. Maybe that's where part of the money went, to pay off the D.A.s office, for her son's criminal activity.
By PLEASE
Nov 5, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
Bernard P. Fife,
You are a Christian? Well last I heard you are supposed to welcome people to church to help those who have gone astray. Not sit up on your pulpit as if you are the judge of all man kind. Please people. Two....or more....wrongs don't make a right. These people need our prayers! No I am not taking up for anyone. I am trying to pray for my fellow man and let God take care of the judgement. Last time I checked none of us could walk on water!
By Bernard P. Fife
Nov 5, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
My Dearest Katie;
Welcome to reality, it is a new day in America, we elected a President last night based on qualifications, not on skin color or personal wealth or connections.
In America today we will all have to be accountable for our actions and bear the consequences of our decisions. No longer will we make excuses for dishonesty, greed, theft, etc.
I am a Christian, and will tell you that GOD will not be Mocked in the Mill's trials, Driving while intoxicated, (multiple counts),Cocaine use, stealing, still writing bad checks, are still crimes, and a person that thinks those things are OK, and doing those things, would not be welcome at any Church that I know of. Mrs."Queen Margaret" Mills, and "Little Richard" will both have to grow up and take responsibility for their consistent poor choices.
On another note do you really think the husband had no idea where the money was coming from. Wait till 2 more days, and you will hear what type of character Margaret "I am above the law" Mills has. I promise you will be shocked.
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