What we reported In June, Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal, Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley, Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Clark and political consultant Marc Davenport were accused of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act during negotiations for the November 2015 road bond election with the Texas Patriots Political Action Committee. The defendants claim they did not violate the act and that the accusation is politically motivated.

The latest The first hearing for the case was held Sept. 2, where legal counsels set a schedule for the trial. The trial was originally scheduled for November but has since been rescheduled. Judge Randy Clapp, of Wharton County’s 329th District Court, is presiding over the case.

What’s next The plaintiffs and their attorneys will review evidence that was presented to a grand jury preceding the indictments in June. The case will go to trial March 27. A TOMA violation is considered a Class B misdemeanor, which is punishable by one to six months in jail, a fine of up to $500; or both, according to the office of the attorney general’s website. The officials could also be removed from office.