Former Tomball ISD tax assessor-collector Kristi Williams is facing a federal wire fraud charge after authorities accused her of siphoning off nearly $1 million in school district tax money. Williams, who no longer runs the tax office, is set for her first appearance in federal court on Monday, July 13, kicking off a case that could trail through the system for months.
In a post from FBI Houston, agents said Williams was federally charged with wire fraud and accused of diverting nearly $1,000,000 in Tomball ISD funds. The social media announcement set her initial court date for July 13 but did not include a charging document. Those details, including the exact time frame of the alleged scheme, are expected to appear in formal court records. The FBI described the case as an ongoing investigation and did not immediately release further information.
Background and Local Context
Public payroll records list Kristi Marie Williams as Tomball ISD’s tax assessor-collector in recent years, according to OpenPayrolls. She also held a leadership role in her professional circle, serving as a vice president on the Texas School Assessors Association’s 2022–23 executive board, per a bulletin from the Texas School Assessors Association.
Tomball ISD’s 2025 tax statement, dated May 14, 2026, names Cynthia Garcia as the district’s tax assessor-collector, indicating that the office changed hands before the FBI publicly announced the allegation. The district tax statement is available as a public record from Tomball ISD.
What Happens Next
Federal wire fraud is a felony that can carry up to 20 years in prison under U.S. Code, along with potential fines and restitution orders. Williams is presumed innocent unless and until she is proven guilty in court. Her initial appearance will be the first public look at how prosecutors and defense attorneys plan to handle the charges and pretrial schedule.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas typically oversees federal criminal cases in this area and is expected to post charging documents if and when they are filed. Those records should lay out the specific allegations that have Tomball taxpayers wondering how nearly seven figures in public money could slip through the cracks.
For residents, the case raises uncomfortable questions about how closely local tax dollars are watched and whether district controls and audits were tough enough. Expect a hard look at Tomball ISD’s financial safeguards as court filings land and officials start answering more pointed questions. This story will be updated as new documents or official statements are released.
