SAN ANTONIO – Former Bexar County 1st Assistant District Attorney Cliff Herberg lashed out at new District Attorney Nico LaHood Monday, saying LaHood blackballed him from getting another county job.
Herberg said he was unable to hire a relative of LaHood's and would not drastically reduce charges against a LaHood defense client.
Herberg said LaHood's actions resulted in a drastic situation for him.
"I'm currently without health insurance," Herberg said. "I will probably have to move out of the county."
Herberg said it is LaHood's fault he is out of a job after a string of events involving LaHood asking Herberg for favors.
First, Herberg said LaHood wanted him to hire a relative of LaHood's for a job. Herberg said he told LaHood he would look into it if it was legal.
"We looked at the statute and, ultimately, it was not legal and so it didn't go any further than that," Herberg said.
Then Herberg said he was told by county commissioners that he was nearly certain to be approved for another county job involving legislative affairs.
But Herberg said that job disappeared after he refused to drastically reduce the charges against one of LaHood's clients.
"When I said no, the next day he went to the commissioners and said that he would be deeply offended if I was hired," Herberg said.
LaHood, however, said Herberg is simply a disgruntled former employee.
"It's unfortunate that someone that had such an important position in this former administration just can't move on with their life," LaHood said. "I wish him well."
LaHood said he never asked Herberg to hire a relative and did not blackball Herberg from being hired elsewhere at the county.
"I don't have the authority not to hire anybody by the county," LaHood said. "I only have the authority to hire and not hire people within the district attorney's office."
He said the county could have ignored his opinion and hired Herberg, but did not.
LaHood said he is anxious to get started making changes in the DA's office and that the employees and judges are excited and ready to get going.
Herberg is hoping to get a state job to qualify for retirement. He needs just 14 months.