In the history of Dallas, as in life, there are moments that force reflection, especially when it comes to power. The corruption scandal involving former Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill became one of the city’s most painful chapters. These aren’t just dry facts about bribes and misconduct; this is a story that revealed how the lust for profit can corrupt even the highest offices. Read more at dallas-yes.
The Don Hill case proved that holding a position of power does not grant the right to betray the public’s trust. Ultimately, every dishonest act in the public sphere eventually has consequences, and this story is a vivid confirmation of that truth.
Investigation, Raids, and Charges
For a long time, Don Hill, then the Mayor Pro Tem of Dallas, seemed to many not just an influential politician but a true authority in the city. His path, from a talented young lawyer to a powerful player on the City Council—where he was elected four times starting in 1999—appeared flawless at first glance. But, as is often the case, behind this polished facade were secrets destined to come to light and change everything.
The first signs of trouble, the proverbial canaries in the coal mine, appeared back in 2005. That’s when the FBI began working on a case that would later rock Dallas as one of its biggest corruption scandals. At the time, perhaps no one realized it was just the beginning of a long and tangled story. FBI agents conducted raids everywhere—at Hill’s office, his home, his law firm, and even his car. It’s hard to imagine the shock this caused and how clearly it signaled that the matter was serious and there was no turning back. Like a starting pistol, these raids triggered a chain of events that could no longer be stopped.
Soon, details began to emerge that surprised not only ordinary residents but also those who knew Don Hill well. It turned out that since 2004, he and his accomplices, including his wife Sheila Farrington, were involved in a highly sophisticated scheme. The case involved thousands of dollars in bribes that, according to the investigation, came from Brian and Cheryl Potashnik, owners of Southwest Housing Development Company, Inc., through a series of shell companies. Investigators also discovered that Hill, along with his protégé D’Angelo Lee, whom he had appointed to the planning commission, was extorting money from developers—all for their own personal gain.
The charges filed against Don Hill were extremely serious. He was accused of conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit extortion, extortion under color of official right, and even conspiracy to launder money. This wasn’t just a minor mistake or an oversight, but an entire system where power was exploited for personal profit.
The Price of Abusing Power
When the Dallas City Hall corruption case entered its final stretch, everyone knew it wouldn’t be just another trial. The trial of Don Hill and his co-conspirators, which lasted from June to October 2009, became a true ordeal for everyone involved. Hill himself spent nearly six days on the witness stand.
Ultimately, the jury delivered its verdict, and it was devastating for the former Mayor Pro Tem. Don Hill was found guilty on seven of the nine counts against him. These included conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, conspiracy to commit extortion, extortion by a public official, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Hill wasn’t the only one to face justice. His wife, Sheila D. Farrington, who was also caught red-handed, was sentenced to nine years in prison. She was found guilty on five of six counts, including conspiracy to commit bribery and extortion. And then there was D’Angelo Lee, the man Hill himself had appointed to the planning commission. He received the harshest sentence: 14 years behind bars and was ordered to pay $112,800 in restitution. Lee was found guilty on all seven counts, making him one of the key figures in this dark saga.
According to U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks, all of these sentences were meant to serve as a powerful reminder to all public officials and those who work with them. He made it clear: “If you try to profit by abusing the power given to you by the voters, you will face a long prison sentence.”
The Final Chapter
Life, like any story, has its unexpected turns. The Don Hill case took one such turn in May 2017. Federal prosecutors filed a motion to reduce his 18-year prison sentence for bribery. The reason was a terminal illness: Hill had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and doctors estimated he had less than 18 months to live. Ultimately, he was granted a compassionate release. He left a federal prison in North Carolina on July 21, 2017, to spend his final days at home in DeSoto. The former city council member died the next day, on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at the age of 65.
Despite these events, his colleagues, including Barbara Mallory Caraway, who served with him on the City Council, remembered Don Hill as a man dedicated to his community who could find solutions in difficult situations. However, personal memories notwithstanding, the Don Hill case will forever be remembered as the most significant public corruption case in Dallas history. It serves as a crucial reminder that the abuse of power always comes with severe consequences.
Sources:
- https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/txn/PressRel10/DCC_hill_farrington_lee_sen_pr.html#:~:text=Hill%2C%20who%20was%20on%20the,a%20local%20government%20receiving%20federal
- https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/the-history-of-dallas-city-councilman-don-hill-9453540
- https://www.keranews.org/texas-news/2017-05-15/don-hill-former-dallas-city-council-member-dies-after-prison-release