THE Office of the Attorney General on Wednesday announced that Texas attorney James Robert Kingman will head a task force that will investigate and prosecute government corruption, white collar and financial crimes.
Kingman was initially hired by the AG’s office as a special prosecutor in its misconduct-in-office case against former Gov. Ralph DLG Torres pertaining to first-class travel.
On June 20, 2023, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios informed the Legislature that he had certified and approved Kingman’s employment as an assistant attorney general with an annual salary of $85,000.
According to a statement from the AG’s office, as the managing prosecutor for the task force, Kingman will supervise its members in the investigation and prosecution of public corruption cases.
He will also review allegations of abuse relating to American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA funds and will continue to represent the Commonwealth in the prosecution of Torres.
“Mr. Kingman’s hiring is in the interest of the Commonwealth and fulfills the goal under the Constitution for a clean and transparent government,” Attorney General Edward Manibusan said.
“As attorney general, I am empowered under the Constitution to hire employees and to prosecute cases. AAG positions, including Mr. Kingman’s position as assistant attorney general/special prosecutor, are exempt from the civil service system. His hiring follows the process for the employment of exempt employees,” Manibusan added.
Kingman holds a law degree from Harvard and a bachelor’s degree from Rhodes College.
According to the AG’s office, he has served as an assistant district attorney in Texas, handling felony cases including white collar crime, fraud, money laundering, and child sexual abuse cases.
In a separate statement, Kingman said: “I am grateful to have been appointed to lead the new multi-agency public integrity law enforcement task force. Though my plan when I arrived was only to try a case as special prosecutor, I am thankful to be stepping into an expanded role. I have been involved with efforts surrounding anti-corruption, public transparency, and accountable governance since 2010. My convictions on these issues are deeply held. This is a unique community that has welcomed and inspired me in the short time that I have been fortunate enough to experience. With this new set of responsibilities, I hope to use my experience to help this singular place move towards the government and leadership that it deserves. It is a substantial task. I will give it my all.”
In May, the AG’s office, the Office of the Public Auditor and the Department of Public Safety announced the formation of the task force, saying that “the collaboration and partnership among the law enforcement agencies are vital to holding those accountable for waste and abuse of public funds and other criminal conduct.”
James Robert Kingman
