Fort Bend County officials indicted in separate fraud and theft cases

Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen Patrice Turner and two employees have been federally indicted on charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, and theft concerning federal program funds. Prosecutors allege that Turner hired Shemerrylyn Fields and another individual as deputy tax clerks while they actually worked as caretakers for Turner’s mother. The indictment claims the employees were instructed to clock in and out remotely while performing caretaking duties during standard business hours.

In a separate matter, a former Fort Bend County constable lieutenant, Eric Lister, has been indicted for theft and tampering with government records. Lister is accused of stealing property valued between $2,500 and $30,000 from the constable’s office and writing fraudulent traffic warnings for traffic stops that never took place. His employment with the department has been terminated.