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Byline: Renee C. Lee
Jun. 30--MAGNOLIA -- The district attorney's office has launched an investigation into allegations that Magnolia Police Chief Ronald Cunningham ordered officers to purposely ticket or arrest a current and a former City Council member.
Montgomery County DA Michael McDougal on Friday said his office is looking into whether Cunningham has committed official oppression or official misconduct, both misdemeanor charges. McDougal, who did not give details, said the case will likely go to a grand jury in three or four weeks.
The accusations against Cunningham were made by Magnolia Police Cpl. Michael Alexander in a letter to the DA's office. Alexander said the chief and Capt. Michael Smith gave him a directive on June 15 to inform his patrol officers to arrest or ticket former City Councilman Richard Anderson and City Councilman Sammie Scott.
Alexander said Cunningham and Smith were targeting Anderson and Scott because they believe the men are part of a political circle that wants to take away their jobs.
Alexander said he went to the district attorney's office four days later with a letter outlining the allegations.
"These are unlawful orders, and I'm not going to do it," Alexander said in an interview. "Somebody's going to get hurt and somebody's rights are going to be violated. I had to put a stop to it."