A bribery arrest has jolted tiny Westworth Village, where councilman Halden David Griffith was taken into custody yesterday and now faces a felony bribery charge, city officials said. Police say Griffith was arrested around 1 p.m. after an investigation that began earlier this month. Jail records show he remained in Tarrant County custody Friday night with no bail amount set. Officials have not released any specifics about what he is alleged to have done.
According to The Dallas Morning News, police stressed that the bribery count is still just an accusation and did not identify the incident that led to Griffith’s arrest. “This is still an ongoing investigation which is being conducted thoroughly and in accordance with the law,” Westworth Village Police Chief Kevin C. Reaves said.
As reported by the Fort Worth Star‑Telegram, the city’s mayor said residents had brought forward serious accusations that a current elected official, and possibly others, had violated citizens’ Constitutional rights to a fair election. The Star‑Telegram noted that, according to the city’s statement, the case has been referred to the Tarrant County district attorney’s office for review and possible prosecution.
Investigation and next steps
The city said investigators opened the inquiry earlier this month and are keeping details limited while the work continues. Per The Dallas Morning News, prosecutors in the Tarrant County district attorney’s office will decide whether to file formal charges.
Why this matters locally
Westworth Village is a small Tarrant County municipality about 40 miles west of Dallas, where tight races and relatively small voter rolls can magnify the impact of any election‑related allegations. Local leaders say the accusations have rattled confidence in city hall and fueled calls for a clear public accounting, according to the Fort Worth Star‑Telegram…