FOX television outlets in Dallas, Houston and Austin have carried reports about allegations involving two Lubbock County elected officials.
Allegations against Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish are drawing attention well beyond West Texas.
FOX television outlets in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Austin have carried a report about Justice of the Peace Susan Rowley’s allegations that Parrish made unwanted sexual advances toward her in 2024.
Parrish denies the allegations.
FOX Local published its report October 14, following coverage by Lubbock-area news organizations. The story included a written response from Parrish.
How it started
Rowley first made her allegations public in an interview posted on the Lubbock Lampoon Facebook page.
She said the encounters happened in August 2024, when she visited Parrish’s office seeking support after her brother’s death.
Rowley told KCBD she had considered Parrish a close friend for years.
She alleges Parrish kissed her during one visit. During another, she said he touched her over her clothing and placed her hand on his crotch.
“That was way out of bounds,” Rowley told KCBD.
Rowley said she did not report the incidents to the county’s human resources department because she did not believe anyone would take action.
Lubbock Lights contacted Rowley with additional questions about the timing of the alleged encounters. She initially agreed to an interview but did not respond to subsequent attempts to schedule one.
Parrish responds
FOX Local contacted Parrish for a response.
“I have no comment on this preposterous allegation.”
Curtis Parrish, in an email to FOX Local
FOX Local is FOX Television Stations’ digital news platform, featuring coverage from FOX stations across the country.
He also criticized the Lubbock Lampoon, saying the Facebook page had not contacted him before or after publishing Rowley’s allegations.
Because Parrish previously characterized the allegations as “preposterous” and indicated he had no further comment, Lubbock Lights did not seek an additional statement.
Where things stand
Rowley’s allegations remain unproven.
KCBD reported that Rowley had not filed a police report or taken legal action against Parrish at the time of its interview.
The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal also reported that neither the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office nor the Texas Department of Public Safety had received a complaint about the allegations at the time of its reporting.
The FOX coverage brings the controversy to a larger audience, but it does not independently verify Rowley’s claims.
Lubbock Lights will continue following the story as new information becomes available.
