Lubbock Lights has learned Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney Sunshine Stanek has recused herself from the investigation into the county’s controversial payment of nearly $70,000 to Mark Meurer while elected Precinct 2 Commissioner Jason Corley was serving in the same position.
The development marks another turn in a controversy first reported by Lubbock Lights earlier this month. Lubbock Lights revealed the county continued paying Meurer after a judge restored Corley to the Precinct 2 seat in December 2025. (Lubbock Lights)
Meurer was appointed by County Judge Curtis Parrish after Parrish determined Corley had automatically resigned by pursuing a congressional campaign. Visiting District Judge Patrick Pirtle subsequently ordered Corley returned to office, but Meurer remained on the county payroll for months. (https://www.kcbd.com)
After the payments became public, the county stopped paying Meurer. Meurer later said he had set the money aside and would return the approximately $70,000 he received. (Lubbock Lights)
Stanek told commissioners Sept. 21 that her office had already been investigating the matter and was pursuing an outside investigation “through the appropriate means, be it the Rangers or otherwise.” Commissioners subsequently approved a resolution supporting an independent investigation into the apparent payroll irregularities. (Lubbock County Texas Streaming)
Stanek had previously recused herself from the underlying legal dispute between Corley and Meurer in December 2025, with the state intervening through Potter County Attorney Scott Brumley.
Her recusal from the separate payroll investigation raises the immediate question of which prosecutor will now oversee any criminal investigation and the Texas Rangers referral.
Lubbock Lights will update this developing story as additional information becomes available.
