An Brownwood attorney was arrested Wednesday on an indictment from the Brown County Grand Jury for the charge of barratry, according to Brown County Jail logs.
48-year-old William Wesley Ruth turned himself in to the Brown County Jail Wednesday on the charge and was released on a personal recognizance bond of $10,000.
The indictment, filed on January 17, 2013 states that “William Wesley Ruth, also known as Bill Ruth, Defendant, on or about the 27th day of October, A.D. 2011, and before the presentment of this indictment, in said County and State, did then and there, with intent to obtain an economic benefit, knowingly institute a suit or claim that the defendant had not been authorized to pursue, to-wit: Cause Number CV11-10385 in the 35th Judicial District Court of Brown County, Texas, insofar as that suit was brought by the defendant on behalf of Arma Lee Crow and The Ruby and Annie Smith Family Partnership and the defendant’s conduct was not authorized by the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct or any rule of court.”
Ruth released a statement via email regarding the allegation, stating that the “erroneous allegations made against me stem entirely from my involvement in a family dispute.” According to Ruth, prosecution knew for a year that the suit was amended but still used the original suit to present to the Grand Jury.
Click here for Ruth’s complete response to the indictment.
Barratry is definied under Texas Penal Code – Section 38.12. Barratry And Solicitation Of Professional Employment. In this case, the indictment cites an act of barratry due to the defendant, with intent to obtain an economic benefit, knowingly instituting a suit or claim in which he had not been authorized to pursue. It is a third-degree felony in Texas.
According to a recent article in the Texas Tribune, Prosecutors Stepping Up Fight Against Barratry, “State lawmakers passed a law last session to bolster the war on barratry and a handful of notable arrests — including charges against a state representative — have been made this year, with presumably more to come.”
