‘Make this right!’ DeSoto residents call for councilwoman to resign, transparency from officials

A DeSoto City Council meeting Tuesday nighterupted in shouts for government transparency and calls for councilwoman Candice Quarles to resign in the wake of disclosures that she benefited from her husband’s theft of tax funds.

Residents packed city hall, some carrying small red placards that read, “RESIGN,” while others grabbed the lectern to scold council members for keeping her gains a secret for more than two years.

“I’m wearing black today because I’m in mourning for the city of DeSoto,” resident Muriel Flowers told city officials. “This issue of councilwoman Quarles has turned neighbor against neighbor … it’s up to you to make this right.”

Residents were reacting to a Dallas Morning Newsinvestigation published last weekthat revealed the council member profited from her husband Jeremiah Quarles’ theft of at least $9,000 in city funds as head of the economic development office from 2013 to 2016. He pleaded guilty to theft in April.

Half of the stolen money covered pricey memberships for the councilwoman that helped boost her political resume, including $3,250 tuition for a Dallas Regional chamber leadership program. A handful of city officials, including Mayor Curtistene McCowan, kept that information secret.

The story also reported how DeSoto police and the Dallas County District Attorney office failed to fully investigate her role, even though her husband told police she knew of one fraudulent transaction. She told a detective she wasn’t aware of the fraud.

But residents said they were shocked by The News’ findings.

Some loudly invoked Bible excerpts, appealing to the council to be honest with taxpayers about what happened.

“What we have to do as people of God is make sure we’re transparent,” said one resident. ” And don’t give the appearance we’re covering up.”

Precious Rita Davis asked the council to bring in an outside law enforcement to investigate the crime, as well as what the DeSoto police department did wrong. Councilwoman Quarles must have known about the theft, she said, and the amount of defrauded tax dollars had to be more than $9,000.

“Get a handle on this police department,” Davis said. “If the police can’t handle it, we need an agency to come in here and see what they’re doing wrong, so they can get it right. Or replace them.”

Several people, including some living outside of the Dallas suburb, also spoke in support of Candice Quarles. Others added they were unsure whether she was at fault but were upset the public had no prior knowledge of Jeremiah Quarles’ illegal spending.

None of the council members specifically addressed residents’ comments, noting they are barred by state law from doing so.

The council made no promises to address the Quarles issues again publicly. But at the end of the open meeting Candice Quarles thanked the crowd.

“Anyone who would like to have a conversation or sit down with me, I would do that,” she said.

Mayor McCowan also asked citizens to reach out to her “personally.”

The council then convened a closed-door executive session to continue private discussions of the Quarles theft case.