The case against Joseph Andolino, the senior vice president of the tax department at Halliburton who was arrested for allegedly soliciting sex in north Harris County, has been thrown out.
"Mr. Andolino is an innocent man," said Paul Doyle, the defense attorney on the case, who foretold this outcome several weeks ago.
Andolino was one of seven men arrested on Oct. 11 during an undercover prostitution sting in which female sheriff's deputies advertised as escorts and met the solicitors in a prearranged location. Doyle claimed that the operation — part of an ongoing effort by the Harris County Sheriff's Office to ensnare sex-sellers and -solicitors — was "politically-motivated."
Doyle explained to CultureMap that, after two days of jury trial, the district attorney dismissed Andolino's case on the grounds that the undercover officer who testified was not a credible witness. She allegedly altered officer reports and destroyed evidence.
"We would have liked for the District Attorney's Office to revisit the case since it is our belief that all of the elements of a crime were met," Christina Garza, media relations manager for the Harris County Sheriff's Office, told CultureMap via email.
Garza said that the sheriff's office refutes the altered reports and destruction of evidence, and stands by the investigation conducted by its deputies.
"We will continue to go after these type of illegal activities and look forward to the DA's Office's assistance in cracking down on these type of seedy operations," she said.
Halliburton representatives did not immediately return a phone call for comment.
