Magnolia City Administrator Paul Mendes could be facing charges for allegedly illegally voting in the City of Oak Ridge North.

Mendes is said to have voted in the Oak Ridge North election on May 6. He was registered at a home belonging to his mother-in-law, Lila Knight, while his known residence is located in The Woodlands, according to an Oak Ridge North Police Department (ORNPD) affidavit.

Montgomery County District Attorney Assistant Phil Grant said he received a completed offense report from ORNPD.

The affidavit states that Mendes and Knight were in charge of and controlled the premises located in Oak Ridge North. However, ORNPD said no one was living at the home.

Mendes’ attorney, Keith Hampton, said Mendes planned to move into Knight’s home with his wife to be caregivers for Knight. She was temporarily living at their home in The Woodlands.

Hampton said Mendes sought legal advice if he could vote in the Oak Ridge North election and was told that it would be acceptable if he had “intent to move there.” Hampton said Mendes did plan to sell his home in The Woodlands and move into the house with Knight.

“It’s where you intend to reside,” he said.

ORNPD submitted the affidavit to Grant requesting permission to search the home for evidence that Mendes lived in the home and surveillance of the home had been conducted.

ORNPD began documenting activity at the home in Oak Ridge North from May 6 until May 17.

“No people, vehicles or activity has been seen, noted and documented at this residence,” the affidavit stated.

The affidavit also noted that vehicles registered to Mendes had been seen at his home in The Woodlands.

Mendes’ drivers’ license showed his address to be in The Woodlands. ORNPD confirmed that the address listed in Oak Ridge North was listed as Laura Lola Knight Life Estate and The Woodlands address was owned by Paul and Charlotte Mendes, according to the Montgomery County Appraisal District.

Hampton said that Mendes and his wife have taken care of Knight for years. Knight had deeded the house to Charlotte prior to the election.

“The plan was to take care of Char’s mom without having to put her into an assisted living facility,” Hampton said.

Since the election Knight has deeded the house back to the bank. Mendes still plans to sell his Woodlands home and buy Knight’s house back from the bank to move in permanently, according to Hampton.

Mendes wanted to vote in the Oak Ridge North election because “he knew and liked certain candidates running for election there and he plans on living in Oak Ridge North with his wife and mother-in-law on a full time basis,” Hampton said.

Hampton said Mendes “has done everything by the book.”

“He hasn’t voted in any other municipal election,” he added.

Grant said Mendes could face a third degree felony charge. Pending further investigation the information will be forwarded to the Attorney General and the Secretary of State for possible prosecution.

“I have confidence in the legal system that they will understand,” Mendes said.

Mendes was previously the city administrator of Oak Ridge North. He was terminated in December 2009 over issues involving the Biofuels Power Corp. finances, contracts, city equipment and purchases.

In June 2010 Mendes was acquitted of a third degree felony charge of abuse of official capacity and a second charge of abuse of official capacity was dropped by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.

He is still seeking a severance package from Oak Ridge North, Hampton said.

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