AG: Harrison County Can Withhold History on Coach

AUSTIN — Harrison County is not required to release criminal history information involving recently resigned Hallsville ISD coach Dean McDaniel, according to an opinion from State Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that McDaniel, who remains on paid administrative leave until his resignation takes effect at the end of December, entered a “voluntary” separation agreement with the district Sept. 25. Superintendent Jim Dunlap said in September that McDaniel resigned for “personal reasons.”

Harrison County District Attorney Coke Solomon has declined to release information about the situation, saying doing so could interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation. In its opinion, Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office agreed. “A compilation of an individual’s criminal history is highly embarrassing information, the publication of which would be highly objectionable to a reasonable person,” an assistant attorney general wrote. “Furthermore, we find that a compilation of a private citizen’s criminal history is generally of not legitimate concern to the public.”