Montgomery Court Watch

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Published reporting that cites these records

What this page is. Public records, each with its source, retrieval time and file hash. It does not suggest or imply that any person or entity has engaged in illegal or improper conduct. Many people and entities have the same or similar names; open the source before relying on a match. Figures marked derived are computed from the records by the rule on the Method page and are not findings. Corrections.

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2026-09-08KPRC 2 / Click2HoustonFamily questions courthouse ties ahead of civil trial involving Montgomery County commissionerGray v. Sisney, 457th District Court (Judge Vincenzo Santini). Recusal motion argues Santini and Judge Kristin Bays lobbied Commissioners Court — on which defendant Matt Gray sits — for courthouse funding. Gray's counsel J. Randal Bays is Judge Bays' spouse; 88.4% of his cases cited as going to Santini's court. Venue transfer to Harris County denied.
2026-09-04Dolcefino MediaThe Cozy Courthouse — Santini, Randall Bays and Gray v. SisneyGray v. Sisney, 25-07-10523, 457th District Court. Calls on Judge Vincenzo Santini to stop hearing cases involving Randall Bays, husband of Judge Kristin Bays, and names Bays as Commissioner Matt Gray's counsel. Runs the Great Wolf Lodge (Webster, Harris County, Oct 2024) security video and interviews Jessica Sisney and Michelle Acosta, who says Gray filed in Montgomery County to control venue because Santini is one of only two county judges who can hear civil suits over $325,000.
2026-04-25Striker Journal (David Lane)Righteous Can Not Give Up on Dying CultureNames County Judge Mark Keough, County Clerk Brandon Steinmann and GOP Chair Gwen Withrow among Grace Woodlands (Steve Riggle) congregants who prevailed in the 2026-03-03 primary. Keough's county campaign reports show $26,550 paid to 'Grace Church' in three $8,850 payments, 2023-12 to 2024-02.
2026-03-23Montgomery County NewsKeough Alleged Sexual Assault Civil Suit Changes Venue from Harris to Montgomery CountyJudge Michael Gomez (129th) granted the transfer 2026-03-23. The case was received in the 457th District Court as 26-04-06049 on 2026-04-09, shows an Order of Assignment 2026-04-23, a partial nonsuit 2026-06-01 and an Order of Dismissal 2026-07-31 (Odyssey).
2026-02-13Dolcefino MediaEating Your Own — Montgomery County GOP purity testsIntraparty conflict; party leadership enforcing ideological tests against incumbents Will Metcalf and Cecil Bell.
2026-01-31Houston ChronicleMark Keough sued for sexual assault by former church assistant; legal fight escalatesKenningham v. Keough, Harris County 129th District Court No. 2025-78146 (filed 2025-10-13); Keough's motion to transfer venue to Montgomery County; Craig Doyal's declaration that no impartial trial is possible there; Keough's clergy-counseling defense. Also syndicated by Yahoo News.
2025-04-10Dolcefino MediaNo Justice — Judge Tracy Gilbert and attorney Steve Jackson418th District Court. Alleges Jackson had an unfair advantage before Judge Gilbert after previously representing her personally, then appearing in 198 subsequent cases before her bench. Same conflict pattern as the Santini/Bays allegation.
2025African American News & IssuesDolcefino Dismissed From Defamation Lawsuit Filed By Montgomery County JudgeVisiting Judge Randy McDonald dismissed Keough's suit against Wayne Dolcefino and Dolcefino Consulting after a ~4-hour hearing in Conroe.
2024-11-08Houston ChronicleMontgomery County Judge Keough sues ex-assistant over harassment claimKeough filed a multimillion-dollar suit against the former administrative assistant who accused him.
2024-10-09Dolcefino MediaThe One-Two Punch — denied protective orders and guardianshipJudge Tracy Gilbert and Steve Jackson. Alleges denial of a protective order to Melissa Britten against a stalker, and refusal of temporary guardianship for a child later shot at Lakewood Church.
2024-09-19Dolcefino Media (YouTube)Keough's ConfessionFollow-up video built on the elder-meeting audio. Keough's later suit 24-10-16036 (457th District Court, filed 2024-10-14) names Dolcefino, Dolcefino Consulting and six church elders as defendants.
2024-09-11TWTXMontgomery County Judge Mark Keough Accused of CorruptionSummarises the Dolcefino report the day after it ran.
2024-09-10Dolcefino MediaThe Sins Of A Pastor — County Judge Mark KeoughAlleges months of sexual harassment of church secretary Susan Kenningham at Woodlands Bible Church, where Keough was senior pastor. Includes audio of Keough's statements to church elders contradicting his denials to reporters.
2024-09-10Dolcefino Media (YouTube)The Sins of a Pastor — video report on County Judge Mark Keough10-minute video report with the recording of Keough addressing Woodlands Bible Church elders; companion to the dolcefino.com article of the same day. 10,889 views as of 2026-09-22.
2022-09Houston ChronicleMontgomery County judge can lead prayer in courtroom, U.S. appeals court rulesFreedom From Religion Foundation v. Mack: a 2-1 Fifth Circuit panel upheld Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack's chaplain-led courtroom invocations and the volunteer chaplaincy he founded after his 2014 election.
2019Texas ScorecardLaw Enforcement Commission Reprimands Montgomery County ConstableTCOLE reprimand record
2017-10The Golden HammerDavenport Ring's Dunn announces JP4 candidacy, portends Metts race against Commissioner Clark2017 JP Pct 4 candidacy; campaign treasurer filing
2016Texas ScorecardOver Half of Montgomery County Commissioners Court IndictedCounty Judge Craig Doyal, Commissioners Charlie Riley and Jim Clark, and consultant Marc Davenport indicted over Texas Open Meetings Act violations. Riley appears throughout the Bleyl contract awards in the minutes.
Woodlands OnlineNorth Shore Republican Women briefing on a Montgomery County Criminal Justice Center (story 82500)public appearance by two district judges
Community ImpactCrockett Meadows PID creation (Von Schmidt Land and Cattle)Commissioners Court PID items 2022–2024
Texas StandardThe Long, Expensive Road To Montgomery County's Commissioners Court ScandalBackground on the Open Meetings Act prosecution and its cost to the county.
The Golden HammerVendor hiring of County Treasurer's husband; Lone Star Groundwater opts for secrecyAlleges a major county vendor hired the County Treasurer's husband. Same vendor-to-official pattern as the Bleyl contribution findings.
Houston ChronicleThe rise of Wayne Dolcefino: How ex-TV reporter gained power in Houston politicsContext on the source behind several entries above — who he is and who hires him.