Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
4/1/2015 1:59:48 PM
Hidalgo County District Clerks
Reviewed By: Alexis Bonilla
C-1361-15-E
C-1361-15-E
3.
Electronically Filed
4/1/2015 1:59:48 PM
Hidalgo County District Clerks
Reviewed By: Alexis Bonilla
Defendant Mike Perez ("Perez"), is the City Manager of the City of Weslaco and
as such, is the public information officer of Defendant City. Defendant Perez may be served
with process at 500 South Kansas, Weslaco, Hidalgo County, Texas 78596.
VENUE
4.
Code and 15.002 and 15.0151 of the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code because this is
an action for mandamus against a governmental body located in this County.
BACKGROUND FACTS AND CAUSES OF ACTION
5.
Defendant City is a municipal governing body within the meaning of the Texas
Public Information Act, Tex. Govt. Code Ann. 552.001, et seq. ("TPIA"), and/or is otherwise
subject to the TPIA.
6.
assembled, or maintained by a governmental body." Tex. Govt. Code Ann. 552.001 and
552.021. Governmental bodies may not discriminate against members of the media in executing
their obligations under the TPIA and must treat all public information and document requests
uniformly. Tex. Govt. Code Ann. 552.223.
7.
By written request that was hand-delivered on October 27, 2014, Melissa Correa,
a reporter for KRGV, made a written request (the "Request") to Defendant City under the TPIA,
requesting the following document: Weslaco Police Cases: Report Nos. 14-23128, 09-28963,
09-2896; and 10-10340.
8.
under the TPIA because without limitation, the Request seeks information and documents
Page 2 of7
Electronically Filed
4/1/2015 1:59:48 PM
Hidalgo County District Clerks
Reviewed By: Alexis Bonilla
C-1361-15-E
The Request was received by Defendant City on October 27, 2014. A true and
correct copy of the Request is attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and is incorporated by reference as
if fully set forth herein.
10.
Based on information and believe, the Defendant City has produced substantial
552.007 requires that if a governmental body or public information officer voluntarily makes
information available to the public, in this case, KGBT-TV, that such information must be made
available to any person. The Defendants in this case have refused to provide the information
previously provided to KGBT-TV to the Plaintiff, in clear violation of the statute.
12.
The TPIA provides that "an officer for public information of a governmental body
shall promptly produce public information for inspection, duplication, or both on application by
any person to the officer." Tex. Gov. Code Ann. 552.221(a). The TPIA further provides that
"if an officer for public information cannot produce public information for inspection or
duplication within ten (10) days after the date the information is requested under Subsection (a),
the officer shall certify that fact in writing to the requestor and set a date and hour within a
reasonable time when the information will be available for inspection or duplication." Tex.
Govt. Code Ann. 552.221(d).
Page 3 of7
C-1361-15-E
13.
Electronically Filed
4/1/2015 1:59:48 PM
Hidalgo County District Clerks
Reviewed By: Alexis Bonilla
On November II, 2014, KRGV demanded from Defendant City, the information
and documents set forth in the Request. (See Exhibit "B" attached hereto.) Defendant City
failed to respond to that demand.
14.
compliance with the statute. (See Exhibit "C" attached hereto.) Once again, Defendant failed to
respond.
15.
the Request, Defendants City and Perez have continued to refuse to produce the information and
documents requested, in violation of their obligations under the TPIA. In addition, Defendants
City and Perez have failed to certify that production of information and documents responsive to
the Request could not have occurred and/or cannot occur within ten (I 0) business days and have
failed to indicate when production will occur, in further violation of their obligations under the
TPIA.
16.
Upon information and belief, Defendants City and Perez are withholding public
information and documents responsive to the Request in bad faith for the purpose of delaying,
hindering and frustrating the right of KRGV to gather and report newsworthy public information.
17.
Upon information and belief, Defendants City and Perez have instituted and
implemented policies regarding Defendant City's responses to TPIA requests that are designed to
have the effect of and/or that have the purpose of delaying, hindering, and frustrating the right of
the media to gather and report newsworthy public information.
18.
The conduct of Defendants City and Perez as alleged herein, violates the TPIA
and KRGV is entitled to a writ of mandamus compelling the production of all information and
Page 4 of7
C-1361-15-E
Electronically Filed
4/1/2015 1:59:48 PM
Hidalgo County District Clerks
Reviewed By: Alexis Bonilla
documents responsive to the Request for which relief KRGV now seeks of Defendants City and
Perez.
19.
Pursuant to TPIA, KRGV is entitled to recover its costs and reasonable attorney's
fees incurred in connection with this lawsuit, especially because Defendants City and Perez have
no reasonable basis for their conduct and because, upon information and belief, Defendants City
and Perez have engaged in the conduct alleged herein for the purpose of delaying.
20.
Pursuant to Tex. Civ. Prac & Rem. Code 37.001, et seq., KRGV seeks judgment
declaring that the conduct of Defendants City and Perez, as alleged herein, violates the TPIA. In
addition, KRGV should be awarded a permanent injunction restraining and enjoining Defendants
City and Perez from such conduct in the future for all of which relief KRGV now seeks of
Defendants City and Perez.
21.
KRGV-TV, prays that upon final hearing hereof, a Writ of Mandamus be issued directing
Defendants City and Perez to make all information and documents sought herein available to
Plaintiff KRGV for inspection and copying, that Plaintiff, KRGV recover its costs and
reasonable attorney's fees, that the Court enter its judgment declaring the conduct of Defendants
City and Perez to be in violation of the TPIA, that a permanent injunction be entered restraining
and enjoining Defendants City and Perez from such conduct in the future, and for such other and
further relief to which Plaintiff, KRGV may be justly entitled.
Page 5 of7
Electronically Filed
4/1/2015 1:59:48 PM
Hidalgo County District Clerks
Reviewed By: Alexis Bonilla
C-1361-15-E
LLP
By:
Rex N. each
Texas State Bar No. 12086300
Page 6 of7
Electronically Filed
4/1/2015 1:59:48 PM
Hidalgo County District Clerks
Reviewed By: Alexis Bonilla
C-1361-15-E
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF HIDALGO
Before me, the undersigned Notary Publ ic, on this day personally appeared JENNY
MARTINEZ, to me well known, who upon her oath deposes and says:
"My name is Jenny Martinez. I am over the age of 18 years and am fully competent and
authorized to make this Affidavit. I have read the attached Plaintiff's Original Petition and
Application for Writ of Mandamus and based on personal knowledge as to all statements of fact
relating to me, all such statements of fact therein are true and correct."
3/.st'
C-1361-15-E
EXHIBIT ''A''
C-1361-15-E
Gh nr1el
-ews
qoo E. Bxore:-SSJND..
Fax Number:
Address:
City:
State:
.3
Zip Code:
/8'500
..es!aco
Wes l aco P& /"Ice Cases ~ Re.:;:..:pc.;o:...r..:...+-_~;__1..:..s_ _ _~
. IL-J - J.. 3 1z.~
o CJ - & 8 q w5
Specific Record Information Requested:
oq- z.'iSqeo 3
l0 -
OGT 21 2Ul4
Date Received:
Release Authorization:
[] Approved
NotA roved
Reason(s):
EXHIBIT
IA
...
'
C-1361-15-E
EXHIBIT ''B''
C-1361-15-E
CAMERON COmm'OmCE
REXN.LEACH
rleach@atlashall.com .
(956) 632-8285-Direct
RE:
EXHIBIT
f!J
C-1361-15-E
If the requested materials are not produced on or before Friday, November 14, 2014, we
will have no other option than to pursue our legal remedies through the Court to enforce "
compliance by the City with the requirements of the statute.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
By:
RNL:jb
Enclosures: (1)
cc w/enclosure:
VIA FACSIMILE: (956) 969-0762
Acting Chief of Police
WESLACO POLICE DEPARTMENT
901 North Airport Drive
Weslaco, Texas 78596
C-1361-15-E
Telephone Number:
. &50 _a 8 z_;
3
City:
.-eSlaco
State:
Zip Code:
/'[:)';JC,
Date Received:
Release Authorization:
Reason(s):
Initials of City Attorney:
[ ] Approved
NotA roved
Office ofthe City Secretary tel. 956.968.3181 fax. 956.968.6717
Job number
*** C-1361-15-E
SEND SUCCESSFUL ***
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C-1361-15-E
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: DOI
Date l Time: Nov-11-14 02:54pm
Line 1
Line 2
Machine ID : ATLAS l HALL L.L.P.
Job number
539
Date
Nov-11 02:47pm
Number of pages
004
Start time
Nov-11 02:47pm
End time
Nov-11 02:54pm
9566860187
Successful nbrs.
Fax numbers
a1 s5s969D762
38004341
Unsuccessful nbrs.
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C-1361-15-E
EXHIBIT ''C''
C-1361-15-E
Rex. N. Leach
, t.leach@lltbshaltcom
ATI.AsHALL.COM
February 9, 2015
CITY OF WESLACO
255 South Kansas Avenue
Weslaco, Texas 78596
RE:
KE.GV/City of Weslaco
If the requested materials are not produced on or before Wednesday, February 11, 2015,
we will have. no option but to pursue our legal reme.dies. through the Comt to enforce co!np!iance
by the City with the requirements of the statute,
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
EXHIBIT
ATLASztHAL\ODRIGUEZ _
By:
Rex
_,,_
\_.,
. Leach
RNL:jb
Enclosures: (1)
AUSTINOmCE
8ROWNSVJLL OFFICE
P,Q, BOX6J69 (7SS2J~~69)
SOW, MORrusONRD:-STEA
Q;RO\VNSVILLE, 1'..V.S 785201262
noo N.MoPACF.XPY.,STl!4JO_
'TEL.(512) SS3:0Si9
F,\X (9S6)57~9337
1EL(9S6)5N-9JJ3
FAX (956~ 5749H7
UV.,LDKOl'l'lCE
124 N. EAST STREET
UVALDF.", Ti;."(i(s ?SS0!-53 IZ
TEl. {S~!l) 278-3100
FAX(S.44}272-4~09
C-1361-15-E
February9, 2015
cc w/enclosure:.
(956) 969-0762
Captain Ted Walensky
Acting l'olice Chief
VIA FACSIMILE:
C-1361-15-E
TR;.mCoVNTYOFrtct
720.0N. MoPAcExPY,STE430
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rAX(956)S74-9337
REX!!. LEACH
rleaeh@atllshlll.com ,
(956} 632-82$5- D.1'.o<t
RE:
Given the circumstances of Ms. Correa's request, we. believe that the City of Weslaco is
currently in violation of the statute and demand iS hereby made on behalf of Ms. Correa and her
employer, KRGV-TV, that the requested matedals be produced by the City of Weslaco
immediately;
C-1361-15-E
If tl:J.e reqitested materials are not produced on or before Friday, November 14, 2014, we
legal remedies through .the Court to enforce .
compliance by the City with the requirements of the statute.
By:
RNL:jb
Enclosures: (1)
cc w/enclosure:
VIA FACSIMILE: (956) 969-0762
C-1361-15-E
Name
o~Requestor:
e Ir 0
C:h
11cl .
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Telephone Number:
. &50. o8
Z./
Fax Number:
Address:
C)oo ". Bx
City:
..
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State:
Zip Code:
73'900
,.
O~T
21
21114
Date Received:
Release Authorization:
Reason(s):
Initials of City Attorney:
[ I Approved
No!A roved
Office of the City Secretary tel. 956.968..3181 fax. 956.968.6717
C-1361-15-E
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Given the circumstances ofM& Con:ea's request, we believe that the City of Weslaco iS
currently in violation of the statute and demand is b.ereby made on behalf of Ms. Correa and her
employer, KRGV-TV, that the requested. materials be produced by the City of Weslaco
immediately.
C-1361-15-E
Novembcr.11, 2014
If the reque$ted materials are not produced on or before Friday, November 14, 2014, we
will have no other option than to pursue. our legal remedies through .the Court to enforce .,
compliance by lhe Cify with the requirements of the statute,
By:
RexN. each
RNL:jb
:Elnclosures: (1)
cc w/enclosure:
VIA FACSIMILE: (956) 969-0762
Acting Chief of Police
WESLA<;.O POLtCE DEPARTMENT .
..
C-1361-15-E
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Ch nr1cl
Address:
qoo
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B. Bxoresswv..
Date Received:
Release Authori:<:at!on:
Reason{s):
Initials of City Attorney:
[ l Approved
NotA roved
Office of the City Secretary tel. 956.968.3181 fax. 9.56.968.6717
. . .
C-1361-15-E
.,,
Conf
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Report-Memory Send
Page
001
Date l Time: ttov-12-14 05:091!11
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Line 2
Machine ID ATLAS l HALL L.L,P.
Job number
556
Date.
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To
956688018.7
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Start \Im
Nov-12 05:08pm
End time
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004
Status
OK
Job. number
: 556
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