Too often, news organizations trumpet allegations, then emit hardly a peep when charges turn out to be unsubstantiated.

Earlier this month, Port of Houston CEO Alec Dreyer was formally vindicated on charges that he improperly used a port tour boat and altered a government document to hide the fact. What’s more, the local media picked up on his exoneration and gave the news the attention that it deserved.

In a letter dated Dec. 9, 2011, Bill Moore, chief of Public Integrity Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s office, writes:

The Texas Water Code allows the Port of Houston to spend funds for promotion and development activities. Our investigation revealed that the April 27, 2009, special tour in question included a promotional presentation about the Port of Houston, and was requested and approved pursuant to normal guidelines in place at the Port.

The letter also stated that Dreyer didn’t improperly alter governmental records.

Houston lawyer Steven Mitby of the complex commercial litigation firm Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C., said such letters clearing suspects are rare.

“This kind of letter is virtually unprecedented in Harris County,” says Mitby. “Because of the district attorney’s thorough and fair investigation, the public now knows that Mr. Dreyer has been vindicated and the false allegations against him have been put to rest.”

Dreyer worked with Mitby to encourage Moore to write the letter, so that the public could know the truth of his innocence.

The Houston Chronicle, the local NBC affiliate, and the local public radio station picked up on the letter, which can be read here.

The accomplishment reinforces why Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C. – or AZA – is one of only 32 firms in the U.S. to be recognized as “awesome opponents” in a nationwide poll of corporate general counsel who were asked to name the law firms they hope their companies never have to face in court.