Corruption – it’s often seen as an abuse of power for personal gain. Some might dismiss it as an individual moral failing, a bad apple in the bunch. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll quickly realize it’s a far more insidious problem, a global issue that touches every corner of society. That’s why fighting corruption is crucial, and anyone involved must face the music, held accountable under the law. Let’s dive into some of Dallas’s most significant brushes with this pervasive issue. Find out more at dallas-yes.
Dallas’s First Sitting Politician Indicted for Corruption
Paul Fielding, a Dallas City Council member, made headlines as the first sitting councilman to be charged with corruption. His downfall came through recorded conversations with fellow politician Albert Lipscomb, exposing their plot to create a sham “minority front company.” Their scheme was simple: this shell company would extort money and business contracts from corporations by threatening them with picket lines, citing discrimination and racial injustice if they didn’t play ball. Fielding and Lipscomb shamelessly exploited racial tensions and played on people’s emotions for their own financial gain. Their actions inflicted significant damage on decades of carefully built harmonious race relations, and they deserved to pay the price.
In 1997, after the corruption scheme was uncovered, Paul Fielding resigned and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 41 months in prison.
This case marked one of the first major corruption scandals to rock the Dallas City Council. Its emergence highlighted the urgent need for ethical reform and greater transparency within local government. Dallas would later see other, even larger and more sensational, corruption cases. Collectively, these events underscore the persistent challenge of corruption in Dallas politics.
The Case of Former Dallas Mayor Dwaine Caraway
Dwaine Caraway, born on April 30, 1952, was a Dallas native through and through, attending Roosevelt High School before spending a few years at Texas Southern University.
Caraway’s entry into the Dallas City Council was notably influenced by his wife, Barbara Mallory Caraway, who already held a significant position before her husband’s political career began. He secured his first council seat in 2007. In 2011, he stepped into the role of acting mayor after Mayor Tom Leppert resigned to run for the U.S. Senate. Caraway held the temporary mayoral post for several months until Mike Rawlings was officially elected.
Caraway’s first brush with controversy came in 2011 when he faced a wave of criticism for attempting to honor convicted felon Michael Vick, even presenting him with a ceremonial key to the city of Dallas. This incident seemed to set the stage for a string of other legal woes for the former mayor. On February 22, 2016, Caraway got into a physical altercation with Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price at radio station KHVN Heaven 97. Then, on January 25, 2018, local news broke that Caraway was cooperating with Slater Swartwood, a businessman facing jail time for bribing public officials. Soon after, Caraway pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges, admitting his involvement in criminal conspiracy, fraud, and tax evasion during his time on the Dallas City Council. Representatives from Force Multiplier Solutions, a company installing cameras near school bus stops, had paid the former mayor a whopping $450,000 in bribes. In exchange, Caraway helped them secure a lucrative contract with Dallas County Schools. On May 7, 2019, former Dallas Mayor Dwaine Caraway began serving his 56-month sentence in a federal prison in West Texas.
The Don Hill Corruption Scheme
Don Hill, born on September 25, 1951, was a prominent Dallas politician, serving as a member of the city council. His political career kicked off in 1999 when he was elected to represent District 5. He was actively involved in urban development, with a particular focus on housing projects for residents. In 2007, Hill was gearing up for a mayoral run, but this ambition coincided with the launch of a high-profile corruption investigation.
Don Hill was accused of bribery. According to the investigation, he accepted bribes from developers in exchange for political support of their projects. Despite the gravity of the accusations, Hill remained a deeply religious man. On the eve of his court date, Don Hill and his wife, Sheila Farrington-Hill, gathered outside the Earle Cabell Federal Building in downtown Dallas, praying for forgiveness. However, their prayers couldn’t save them from a harsh sentence. In 2010, Don Hill was sentenced to 18 years in prison. His wife, Sheila, also received a 9-year prison sentence. During her incarceration, Sheila’s health significantly deteriorated; she began suffering from multiple sclerosis and dementia. After her release, Sheila Farrington-Hill was moved to a nursing home.
Don Hill’s life also ended tragically. In 2017, he was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer, leading to his early release from prison. However, his freedom was short-lived, as he passed away just two days after his release.
Don Hill remains a controversial figure in the minds of Dallas residents. Some remember him simply as a corrupt official, while others, conversely, are grateful for his contributions to community development.
The Carolyn Davis Indictment
On March 1, 2019, former Dallas City Council member Carolyn Davis confessed to taking bribes from developer Ruel Hamilton during her tenure as chair of the city council’s Housing Committee.
According to federal prosecutors, between November 2013 and June 2015, Carolyn Davis received over $40,000 from her accomplice in exchange for promoting his affordable housing project. She voted to approve a $2.5 million loan for the Royal Crest project and supported a Dallas city resolution to grant 9% tax credits for the development. Furthermore, Davis leveraged her influence as chair of the Housing Committee to advocate for Royal Crest and collaborated with other officials in the Dallas Housing Department. In return, Hamilton not only paid her money but also promised future employment as a consultant after her city council term ended. Approximately $11,000 of the bribes were delivered in cash, with the remaining $29,500 funneled through a non-profit organization to conceal the illicit payments.
Davis pleaded guilty to conspiring with Ruel Hamilton to receive bribes. She faced up to five years in federal prison, but tragically died in a car crash in July 2019. Local media reports suggest the accident was caused by a drunk driver.
As for Hamilton, he was charged with two counts of bribery, each carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison. The legal proceedings for his crimes are still ongoing.
- https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2019/04/05/roll-call-of-infamy-dallas-city-hall-corruption-scandals-including-dwaine-caraway/
- https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/the-history-of-dallas-city-councilman-don-hill-9453540
- https://www.dallasnews.com/news/1997/08/26/paul-fielding-gets-41-month-prison-term-ordered-to-help-pay-899000-in-restitution/