In a powerful stand for justice and accountability, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis has spoken out following the dismissal of all felony charges against former Harris County Public Health Director Barbie Robinson. The decision by newly elected District Attorney Sean Teare to drop the indictments shines a spotlight on what Ellis calls a disturbing misuse of prosecutorial power under former DA Kim Ogg’s administration.

“For too long, political grandstanding has masqueraded as justice in Harris County,” said Commissioner Ellis. “This case, like too many others before it, was more about headlines than evidence. It’s time we stop using the power of the District Attorney’s Office to settle political scores.”

Barbie Robinson, a respected leader in public health and one of the few Black women to hold such a prominent position in county government, was one of several officials caught in what many are now calling politically motivated investigations. The charges, which have now been dismissed, were part of a broader pattern of indictments that disproportionately targeted Black and Brown public servants without the legal foundation to stand up in court.

A Houston Chronicle investigation revealed that these failed prosecutions have already cost Harris County taxpayers more than $1 million in legal fees. The financial toll is steep—but the erosion of public trust in the justice system is even greater.

“These were witch hunts—plain and simple,” Ellis added. “They created a chilling effect across our county departments, breeding fear and uncertainty among those simply trying to serve the community.”

District Attorney Teare’s decision signals a shift back to evidence-based prosecutions. Commissioner Ellis commended Teare’s leadership, stating, “I applaud DA Teare for restoring integrity to the office. This is a step in the right direction for Harris County.”

As Harris County works to rebuild public confidence in its legal institutions, Ellis emphasized the importance of focusing on reforms that ensure justice is blind, equitable, and never used as a political weapon.

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