AUSTIN, TX— The debate over security measures for Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza has taken a new turn, with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filing a lawsuit against the county.
This legal action focuses on the allocation of over $100,000 for undisclosed security improvements at Garza’s residence, following the online publication of his home address.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues Travis County for Holding Unlawful Secret Meeting to Approve Taxpayer-Funded Special Security for Pro-Crime Travis County DA Jose Garza
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the Travis County Commissioners Court for violating the Texas Open Meetings Act to secretly discuss a measure to allocate public money for security enhancements for the personal residence of Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza.
Without providing proper notice or allowing the public to witness the discussion, the Travis County Commissioners Court entered an executive session to discuss “security issues” on March 19, 2024. Immediately afterward, they voted to direct $115,000 from the general fund to the District Attorney’s Office to pay for security at the house of Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza. The public was deprived of the opportunity to comment on the proposal.
These actions violated the Texas Open Meetings Act by failing to give adequate notice of the topics that would be discussed during the executive session. Further, State law only permits governing bodies to enter into an executive session to discuss certain issues. The purpose of this session called by Travis County leaders was to divert taxpayer money for enhanced security at the District Attorney’s personal residence. That topic is not eligible for an executive session under the Texas Open Meetings Act.
“Travis County has illegally abused procedure to conceal self-serving decision-making, to hide from scrutiny, and to prevent citizens from knowing exactly what is being done with their money,” said Attorney General Paxton. “After the Travis County DA’s pro-crime policies have created such dangerous conditions for Austin residents, it is especially ironic that he secretly sought taxpayer-funded security measures for his home.”
The Attorney General’s office raised concerns about the Travis County Commissioners Court’s approach to approving the funds, claiming that the public was not adequately informed or given a chance to voice their opinions on the matter. According to the AG’s office, the county violated the Texas Open Meetings Act by not providing sufficient notice of the discussion topics during a closed session, which led to the $115,000 being allocated for Garza’s security.
In a statement, Attorney General Ken Paxton emphasized the importance of transparency, saying,
“Travis County has sidestepped procedure to make decisions in secrecy, leaving citizens in the dark about how their tax dollars are being spent.”
He also pointed out the irony, given that Garza’s policies, according to Paxton, have contributed to safety concerns in Austin.
The lawsuit comes after the county’s decision in August to enhance security at Garza’s residence, which includes several key actions such as hiring private security, deploying constables, and considering the creation of a new security agency for county officials.
As the legal process unfolds, it highlights the ongoing discussions around balancing personal security for public officials with transparency and public accountability. Both the Attorney General’s office and Travis County are working through these legal challenges to ensure that safety and transparency are prioritized in equal measure.
This case underscores the complexities of modern governance, where protecting public officials must also align with the laws that promote open and transparent decision-making processes.
History while in Office
Garza, who assumed the role in Travis County in 2021 after a campaign fueled by funding from progressive billionaire George Soros, pledged to reform the criminal justice system by reducing police overreach and prioritizing treatment over incarceration for nonviolent drug offenses. Garza asserts that his work reflects the will of Travis County voters by supporting crime survivors and tackling issues within the justice system.
However, Sylestine, who once worked in Garza’s office before launching his own legal practice, is critical of Garza’s approach. He argues that Garza has failed to adequately support crime victims and has adopted policies that compromise the city’s safety.
Fox News also reported in 2023 that a mother of a sheriff’s deputy killed in a car crash on the job in Austin, Texas, is speaking out after she says she learned from a friend that the progressive district attorney would not be pressing charges against the other driver in a move she called “unconscionable.”
“I was stunned, I didn’t know what to say,” Nancy Korzilius told Fox News Digital about the moment in January she found out through a friend, who heard it on the radio, that the Travis County District Attorney’s Office would not impanel a grand jury after the crash that killed her son, 32-year-old Travis County Sheriff Sr. Deputy Christopher Korzilius, in March 2020 in the early morning hours after St. Patrick’s Day.
Garza has been widely criticized since taking office in January 2021 for not only implementing policies that his critics say are soft on crime, he has also taken heavy criticism from several families of crime victims who have said he hasn’t made them a priority.
