The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has finished its investigation into several complaints filed against tax consultant Chandler Crouch by a high-ranking Tarrant Appraisal District employee.
A letter shared with Crouch’s attorney Frank Hill states that the agency did not find any evidence of violation on Crouch’s part. Hill and his client are delighted with the decision.
“Anybody’s always relieved when they get a written ruling like that. And I know Chandler must be, but we really expected that because there’s just no evidence of any wrongdoing,” Hill told the Fort Worth Report.
Crouch, who is known for helping his clients appeal their property tax appraisals, said he was never concerned about the investigation and described the complaints as baseless.
“When I became effective, they wanted to stop me,” he said. “The message is, if you become effective, they will come after you.”
The complaints against Crouch were filed back in November 2021 by Director of Residential Appraisal Randyl Armstrong. Armstrong raised concerns with the state agency about Crouch misrepresenting facts and abusing his dual position as a property tax consultant and realtor.
Chief Appraiser Jeff Law confirmed in June that the complaints were not filed on behalf of the appraisal district.
In a statement to the Report, the appraisal district said it is pleased to see the case resolved.
This ruling will not affect the independent investigation by the Tarrant Appraisal District of Armstrong, and whether he submitted the complaints in his official capacity without approval. Those results will be presented at the Aug. 12 board meeting at 10 a.m., the statement read.
The agenda for the board meeting also notes discussion about the possible dismissal of Law as chief appraiser.
“It’s best to leave that termination to TAD. I don’t think that we should be commenting or interfering with that in any way, and we trust they’ll do the right thing,” Hill said.
Crouch noted that “all eyeballs are on the Board of Directors” ahead of the Friday meeting.
Sandra Sadek is a Report for America corps member, covering growth for the Fort Worth Report. You can contact her at sandra.sadek@fortworthreport.org or on Twitter at @ssadek19.
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