Judge Recuses, Clerk Files Indigency Challenge Dropped & New Filing Examines Plaintiffs Financial Claims
PALO PINTO — Former Mineral Wells Mayor Christopher M. Perricone has filed a sweeping civil lawsuit in Palo Pinto County’s 29th Judicial District Court, alleging years of interference with his court-ordered parental rights and naming more than 50 defendants — including law enforcement officers, public officials, school officials, clergy, and the judge who formerly presided over his family case.
The case, Cause No. C51852, centers on Perricone’s claim that his ex-wife, Katie Beth Perricone, repeatedly violated court orders governing possession of their three children. According to court filings, he alleges more than 1,500 instances of denied access between 2019 and 2024. The 192-page amended petition, filed June 26, outlines 12 causes of action, including interference with child custody, intentional infliction of emotional distress, abuse of process and civil conspiracy.
Among the named defendants are the Palo Pinto County sheriff and former sheriff, more than two dozen Mineral Wells police officers and their chief and former chief, school district personnel, citizens, local preachers, and Judge Mike Moore, who still presides over the custody proceedings that led to the civil complaint.
Judge Recuses, Successor Assigned
Judge Mike Moore filed a voluntary recusal on June 18, citing the need to avoid any appearance of impropriety after being named in the lawsuit. In a motion filed shortly after, Perricone argued that Moore was automatically disqualified under Texas law and asked the court to invalidate the recusal.
The case has since been reassigned to Judge Casey, who is now overseeing the current filing, but Judge Moore remains in place in the custody matter.
Perricone is representing himself and filed a sworn statement of indigency to request waiver of court fees. On June 23, District Clerk Nathan Choate contested that filing, citing the lack of a required IOLTA certificate and questioning the validity of Perricone’s claimed indigent status.
Clerk’s Challenge Overruled; Warren Files Motion
According to sources, Judge Casey has denied the Clerk’s motion on a technicality.
Attorney Rhett Warren, who is also named in the suit, and who previously provided legal assistance to Katie Beth Perricone in the family case, has now filed a separate motion contesting Perricone’s indigency affidavit, raising multiple financial discrepancies with supporting evidence. Among Warren’s complaints:
Perricone claimed in his Indigency Affidavit to the court that he pays $1,550 per month in child/spousal support. However, in his June 30 motion, attorney Rhett Warren directly contradicted that claim, stating that Perricone has not made a partial child support payment since September 2021, and owes $109,517 in unpaid child support and is not abiding the court’s order
A 2014 Tesla Model S that Perricone claims is worth $0, yet lists a $500 monthly payment
A mobile home in Johnson County valued at $82,500 that was not disclosed in the court filing
A 2021 bankruptcy petition showing VA disability income of $1,839.71, higher than the $1,750 listed in the indigency form
Undisclosed income from his current wife’s ex-husband for child support. He reported $0 income for her but receiving $266 biweekly
Warren’s motion requests a court hearing and asks that Perricone be ordered to submit tax returns, benefit statements, and documentation of assets.
Family Court History and Past Litigation
Perricone’s lawsuit stems from a long-running custody case. In June 2024, Judge Moore signed an ex parte temporary restraining order revoking Perricone’s access to the children. This was later extended through a temporary injunction mandating reunification therapy according to court documents MWAN obtained.
Perricone appealed the orders, but the Eleventh Court of Appeals rejected his petition in April 2025, finding the trial court acted within its authority under Texas Family Code § 105.001.
The former mayor has filed multiple lawsuits in recent years. In 2020, Perricone left office when it was discovered he was delinquent in his property taxes. He later filed a federal civil rights suit against the City of Mineral Wells and several officials. That case was dismissed in November 2023, and his appeal was also denied.
Broad Allegations, Dozens of Defendants
Perricone’s original June 17 petition named nearly two dozen defendants. The amended petition, filed June 26, expanded that list to more than 50, including:
Law enforcement personnel
Local elected officials and political opponents
Educators and school staff
Members of the clergy
Judges and attorneys involved in past proceedings
Perricone is seeking monetary damages, declaratory relief, and further court intervention based on alleged violations of his parental rights and due process.
We reached out to several listed in the suit and none of the defendants we contacted responded to requests for comment. However, Mineral Wells Area News was told by one, off the record, “Anybody can sue anybody for anything, but that doesn’t mean it has any merits and will stand up in court.”
This is a developing story and we will update as soon as more information becomes available.