HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 6 CONSTABLE VICTOR TREVINO PLEADS GUILTY TO MISUSING TAXPAYER MONEY

HOUSTON - At the start of his trial, longtime Harris County Precinct 6 Constable Victor Trevino said he was eager to have his day in court and prove his innocence.

On Monday, he stood before the judge with his attorney by his side and changed his plea to guilty.

His storied law enforcement career that spanned more than three decades is all but over.

"The state is pleased that Mr. Trevino has finally accepted responsibility for the crime that was committed," said Asst. Harris County District Attorney Bill Moore.

By pleading guilty, Trevino is admitting he siphoned money from a charity he started in 1989 for his own personal use, including gambling at a Louisiana casino. His attorney blamed it on bad record keeping.

Trevino's decision to change his plea comes on the heels of testimony from former television reporter Wayne Dolcefino and the former Trevino employee who fed him information.

"Public officials have a fundamental responsibility to safeguard public funds and not misuse them. Our investigation clearly showed that money out of that charity was misused," Dolcefino said.

Investigators said they found checks with forged signatures and were unable to track all the money distributed by the charity.

Trevino's attorney, Chip Lewis, said his client is ready to put this matter behind him "and move forward with the next chapters of his life. Those chapters will continue to include support from all of his family and for the constituents and members of the community who always supported him."

Trevino resigned from his position Monday afternoon. He is due back in court for sentencing on Nov. 17.