The mayor and town secretary of Refugio were arrested this week in relation to an investigation into misapplication of fiduciary property amounting to $300,000 or more.
In an email, Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Rob Mallory confirmed that Wanda Dukes and Callie Shreckengost were arrested by Texas Rangers on Aug. 12. They were booked into Refugio County Jail.
Dukes is the mayor of the town of Refugio. Her last election was in 2025. Shreckengost is the town secretary.
Arrest warrants were issued after a grand jury issued indictments for misapplication of fiduciary property or property of financial institution greater than or equal to $300,000, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
According to Texas Penal Code, funds are misapplied
when property is dealt with contrary to the law or an agreement under which the property is held. When the misapplied property is worth $300,000 or more, the offense is a first-degree felony.
Contacted by the Caller-Times, the Refugio County District Attorney's Office offered no comment as the matter was still pending as of about 3 p.m. Aug. 12.
Olivia Garrett reports on education and community news in South Texas. Contact her at olivia.garrett@caller.com.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Texas Rangers arrest Refugio mayor, city secretary
