A former district judge who gave up the bench to become Jefferson County’s district attorney recently filed a petition to perpetuate testimony to investigate the asbestos exposure of the late refereeing legend H.T. “Beau” Hicks Jr.
District Attorney Bob Wortham, formerly of the 58th District Court in Beaumont, filed the petition on June 30 in Jefferson County District Court.
Wortham
The anticipated defendants include Atlantic Richfield, Chevron USA, ExxonMobil, Beazer East, John-Shir, Koppers and Owens-Illinois.
Hicks, 83, died last August. Since 1957, he officiated high school and college football, and moonlighted as a scout for the NFL.
In his petition, Wortham, who officiated with Hicks for a time, says Hicks was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2014.
The former judge seeks testimony from several individuals regarding Hicks’ asbestos exposure during his employment with Mobil in Beaumont from 1952 to 1968, and also Sinclair Koppers in Port Arthur from 1968 to 1970.
Wortham specifically seeks the testimony of Charlie Best, Joe Bonura, Herbie Broussard and Boyd Ladd, stating the individuals are advancing in age and that their testimony must be preserved while the investigation continues.
Tina Bradley of the Beaumont law firm Hobson & Bradley represents Wortham.
Judge Kent Walston, the current judge of the 58th District Court, has been assigned to the case.
Case No. A-1972