Fort Bend tax collector accused of paying her mother's caregivers as county tax clerks
On Oct. 22, 2026, federal prosecutors in Houston announced an indictment charging Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen Turner with conspiracy, theft concerning federal program funds and wire fraud. The indictment alleges that beginning in late 2023 Turner hired two people as deputy tax clerks who instead cared for her elderly mother during county work hours, clocking in remotely. It also alleges she hired Victor Calvin Ewing, the father of her adult son, as department coordinator while he worked full time at Chicago O'Hare airport, and that he sent part of his county pay to her. Ewing and one caregiver, Shemerrylyn Fields, were also charged; the other is cooperating. Turner, elected in 2021, could not be reached for comment. The charges are allegations; the case is pending.
Prosecutors said Turner had hired two people as deputy tax clerks, who were in fact working to care for her elderly mother in Houston.
While being employed under Turner, officials say Ewing was working full-time at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
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No outcome recorded yet.