ELLIS COUNTY – Matthew Zajic, the newly elected Ellis County Precinct 2 Commissioner who was arrested on June 11 at the Walmart in Ennis with a Theft of Property (>$100 - <$750, a Class B Misdemeanor) was arrested again according to the Ennis Police Department.
This time, Zajic was arrested on June 24 in connection pursuant to an arrest warrant for Organized Retail Theft (>$100 - <$750, a Class A Misdemeanor).
His bond for this most recent charge was set at $1,500.
Residents in Ellis County have been speaking out against the Ellis County GOP and the Ellis County Judge and Commissioner’s Court asking for something to be done.
At this juncture in Zajic’s situation neither the Ellis County GOP nor the Ellis County Judge and Commissioner’s Court can do anything.
The GOP released a statement after the first arrest, which they still stand by “As Republicans, we believe in both the rigorous enforcement of laws to protect individuals and business from theft and the fundamental Constitutional principle that every American is entitled to due process under the law. An arrest is an allegation, not a conviction, and it is important that the legal process be allowed to proceed,”
In response to the numerous requests from citizens asking the Commissioners Court to take action regarding Zajic, Ellis County Judge John Wray said “First, I want to confirm that I fully support and embrace Constitutional due process and the presumption of innocence.
“With that said, please be assured the Commissioners Court takes the circumstances involving Precinct 2 very seriously. Ellis County has both internal and external audit procedures to safeguard taxpayer dollars and assets across all precincts. Many Ellis County elected officials and employees are exercising checks and balances over the safekeeping and expenditure of your money.
“Neither the Commissioners’ Court as a whole nor the County Judge, acting alone, have authority to remove a county commissioner from his position. Texas law specifies that if a county commissioner is convicted of a felony or official misconduct, the conviction results in an immediate removal from office.
“Generally speaking, Texas law also allows a resident of Ellis County to file a sworn petition in district court requesting removal of a commissioner for official misconduct, even in the absence of a criminal conviction. After the filing of such a petition, a commissioner may be suspended from his job pending trial, and the presiding district judge may appoint a temporary replacement commissioner.”
Wray emphasized he has a “great deal of faith in our local law enforcement officers, the Ellis County District Attorney and her team of prosecutors, and the local trial judges who preside over criminal matters.”
Some residents are questioning the use of Zajic’s Commissioners’ Court work truck as grounds for official misconduct.
Even so, it was a busy week at Commissioners’ Court last week and it was confirmed Zajic did attend the budget workshop last Monday and Tuesday.
On Wednesday, there was an all-day budget workshop meeting that began at 9 a.m., which Zajic did not attend as this was the day he was arrested on the second charge and, according to reports, spent most of the day in jail.
On Thursday, Zajic did attend the budget workshop from 1 to 3 p.m.