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In whistleblower lawsuit, ex-Donna city manager claims council members cut bills for friends

2014-07-01T16:07:12-05:00

By Elizabeth Findell The Monitor Originally published July 1, 2014 Donna city leaders ordered their ex-city manager to waive city fees for friends and fired him after he notified authorities, according to claims in a lawsuit brought under the Texas Whistleblower Act this month. City Council members fired City Manager Oscar Ramirez March 31, giving no specific reasons for the dismissal. On June 12, he sued the five council members who had voted to fire him. He also sued bridge consultant Ernesto Silva. The lawsuit claims Mayor David Simmons, Councilmen Joey Garza and Simon Sauceda and ex-Councilwoman Irene Muñoz had given [...]

In whistleblower lawsuit, ex-Donna city manager claims council members cut bills for friends2014-07-01T16:07:12-05:00

Appeals court hears arguments on closure of juvenile hearings

2014-06-25T23:45:53-05:00

By Deanna Boyd Fort Worth Star-Telegram Originally published June 25, 2014 FORT WORTH — Arguing that it was not only within the court’s power, but also its obligation, attorneys for the state and local media outlets asked the Court of Appeals Wednesday to help prevent the arbitrary closure of juvenile proceedings. Wednesday’s hearing before Fort Worth’s Second District Court of Appeals stemmed from a petition filed by the Star-Telegram and other media outlets over the closure of two juvenile hearings in January by State District Judge Jean Boyd. The petition argues that Boyd abused her discretion when she closed the proceedings, [...]

Appeals court hears arguments on closure of juvenile hearings2014-06-25T23:45:53-05:00

Congress may move forward on FOIA reform

2014-06-24T19:33:47-05:00

Congress may take action this year to strengthen the federal Freedom of Information Act, according to a new posting Tuesday by the National Security Archive at George Washington University. The archive posted a bipartisan bill by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, called the FOIA Improvement Act of 2014. A separate FOIA update bill has already passed the U.S. House. For more details go to the National Security Archive at http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nsa/the_archive.html

Congress may move forward on FOIA reform2014-06-24T19:33:47-05:00

Attorney general appeals $1.2 million whistleblower verdict

2014-06-24T14:20:55-05:00

By Edgar Walters The Texas Tribune Originally published June 24, 2014 The office of Attorney General Greg Abbott— the Republican gubernatorial candidate — is appealing a whistleblower's lawsuit and $1.2 million verdict, arguing that an El Paso jury was wrong when it decided that the agency fired an employee in retaliation for alerting supervisors to internal wrongdoing. The jury awarded damages last year to Laura Rodriguez, a veteran employee of the agency who argued that she was fired after blowing the whistle on alleged insurance fraud by a coworker. Abbott’s office says there is a “complete lack of evidence” that she was [...]

Attorney general appeals $1.2 million whistleblower verdict2014-06-24T14:20:55-05:00

Editorial: In Longview ISD secret process, board must get its job done

2014-06-23T14:42:58-05:00

By Longview News-Journal Originally published June 22, 2014 So let’s get this straight: Longview ISD School Board President Troy Simmons says the ongoing string of closed-door meetings about lone superintendent finalist Horace Williams is not because of difficulty agreeing on a contract or because the board is reconsidering whether Williams is appropriate for the job. We wonder what trustees could be talking about — the color of carpet for Williams’ office? Which parking space he will get? Actually, if the board is discussing something other than the contract or Williams’ employment, then it is probably meeting in violation of the Texas [...]

Editorial: In Longview ISD secret process, board must get its job done2014-06-23T14:42:58-05:00

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