Emily Kebodeaux Cook turned herself in on Tuesday, March 24, following her recent indictment by a Liberty County grand jury.
Cook appeared later that same day before Judge Robert Trapp, judge of the Second Administrative District, who was sitting in for 253rd District Court Judge Chap Cain, who was away due to family matters.
During the hearing, Cook entered a plea of not guilty when asked by the court.
She was wearing an orange jail jumpsuit and was handcuffed as she was led into and out of the courthouse. However, unlike most inmates, Cook was personally escorted to the courthouse by sheriff’s staff rather than being transported by jail van with other prisoners and accompanied by jail security officers.
Judge Trapp set Cook’s bond at $25,000 and issued a series of bond conditions that will remain in place as the case proceeds.
According to the indictment, Cook is charged with misapplication of fiduciary property valued between $2,500 and $30,000, a state jail felony. The indictment alleges that between December 2019 and June 2022, Cook misapplied funds while acting in a fiduciary capacity involving the Liberty County Housing Authority. The document references multiple checks issued to various individuals and organizations, including Meals on Wheels, Grace Church, TUFF Kidds, and others.
The indictment also reference a payments made to Cook through Housing Authority funds. This $800 payment was for legal work reportedly performed by Cook while she was serving on the Housing Authority board.
Cook’s indictment was handed down by a Liberty County grand jury selected by 75th State District Court Judge Michelle Merendino.
On the evening of Wednesday, March 18, just hours after being notified of the indictment, Cook sent a press release to local media announcing her intention to run for Liberty County District Attorney in 2028. The timing of that announcement has raised questions coming so soon after the grand jury’s decision.
As part of her bond conditions, Cook is required to report to the Liberty County Pretrial Services Department and comply with all program requirements. She is prohibited from using or being around drugs or alcohol, must submit to random drug testing, and is not allowed to possess firearms.
The court also ordered that Cook have no contact with the following individuals, who may be called as witnesses in the case: Ryan Daniel, Klint Bush, Stephanie Johnson, Chris Johnson, Nic Nelson, Delores Moore, Angela Ungles, Mary Berry and Tommy Brents.
She is also prohibited from having contact with Meals on Wheels of South Liberty County (Grace Initiative), TUFF Kidds, Grace Church, current or former employees of the Liberty County Housing Authority, and members of the Liberty County Housing Authority Board from 2019 to the present.
Additionally, Cook is barred from accessing any funds, documents, or financial accounts associated with the Liberty County Housing Authority, Liberty County Housing Corporation, or Liberty County Development Corporation. She is also prohibited from any involvement in financial decision-making for any governmental or nonprofit entity. Currently she serves on the Liberty County Central Appraisal District board and on the Trinity Valley Chamber of Commerce board.
Maybe our taxes will be lowered…
My thoughts exactly
Anthony hasn’t spoken yet. Just wait and we will find out about everything.
Can she, and her co-horts, be charged under RICO?
Strange that Liberty County spends millions of taxpayers dollars on prosecuting people just to collect $2500.00. With all the conditions of bond placed on Mrs. Cook you would think she was a real live threat to the community. This whole soap opera is a political witch hunt in my opinion.