Thank you to everyone who has supported our advocacy. Your help is vital for this movement.
Criminal Complaints have finally been drafted, notarized, and submitted to State and local law enforcement, against Conroe City Council members David Hairel & Shana R. Arthur. Both failed to serve and protect the citizens of Conroe and failed to recuse themselves from voting on matters that economically and favorably impact the Crighton Theatre. As the president and vice president of the Crighton Theatre they should have known to recuse themselves. Their votes have helped to price out and push out many downtown small business venders. Choosing to subsidize a dilapidated building instead.
There is one major question I did not have the time to answer, when David Hairel pleaded with the city council for $325,000 in subsidies (grant) for the Crighton Theatre, all the way back on 2/25/2015, did any of that money go towards his company Hairel Enterprises? They specialize in lighting, audio and video. That lead me to a 2nd question, how much money has Hairel Enterprises received from or on behalf of the Crighton Theatre? Important note, the Conroe City Council meeting on 2/25/2015 showed Duke Coon recusing himself from voting on matters related to the Crighton Theatre because Duke was also on the Crighton Board. It appears Duke understood his moral, ethical and legal obligations to the citizens of Conroe. If Duke Coon recused himself than why didn’t David and Shana?
3 conflict of interest events are outlined in this criminal complaint.
Violation#1 During the Conroe City Council Meeting On 9-25-2025 both defendants voted in favor of The Crighton Theatre receiving a $15,000 grant. Please see exhibit A council agenda and exhibit B agenda item 17. The defendants did not mention that they sat on the Crighton board, nor did they recuse themselves from voting.
Violation#2 During the Conroe City Council Meeting On 11-13-2025 both defendants voted in favor of suspending and increasing street closure and special event fees, crippling 100’s of small venders in the process that would normally conduct business in downtown Conroe near and in front of the Crighton Theatre. See Exhibit C council agenda and Exhibit D agenda item 4 Exh C Chapter 58. Neither defendants mentioned they sat on the Crighton board nor did they recuse themselves. Their goal is to drive out small business vendors in order to give the Crighton Theatre a leg up in this difficult economy, as the fee increase does not impact the Crighton Theatre and only impacts street venders.
Violation#3 During the Conroe City Council Meeting On 01-22-2026 both defendants voted in favor of increasing the street closure special event fee from $35 to upwards of $3,000. See exhibit E council agenda and exhibit F agenda item 8. The defendants made it clear that these small venders impact the Crighton Theatre and that in order to protect the Crighton Theatre these increased fees were vital.
Possible Violation#4 During the Conroe City Council Meeting On 2-15-2015 Defendant David Hairel asked and reached $325,000 in grants for the Crighton Theatre from Conroe City Council. At that time Duke Coon was the president of the Crighton Theatre and recused himself from voting on the grant. Did the defendant, Mr. Hairel’s company Hairel Enterprises receive any money from that grant or the Crighton Theatre?
A video report will be released soon. The notarized criminal complaint, complaint template and all exhibits are accessible at the link below. If you want to submit a complaint, read the complaint and replace my name with your name , add anything else, notarize and submit.
Please email the Mayor Duke Coon duke.coon@cityofconroe.org and ask him to add two agenda matters to the upcoming council meeting. #1 Agenda that David and Shana recuse themselves from Crighton Theater matters and #2 the special event fee and approval process be repealed.
Criminal Complaint Submitted to:
Montgomery County Ethics Commission
Texas Ethics Commission
City Secretary
State Attorney General
Texas Rangers
FBI
Conroe Police Chief
Conroe DA
Conroe Mayor
Conroe City Administration
Conroe City Council
Link to Complaint and Exhibits:
Evil prevails when good men and women choose to do nothing. It’s not just what you do that’s wrong, it’s the things you don’t do. Please stand with us we desperately need your help.
