Texas Open Meetings Act lawsuit stretches into sixth month

The lawsuit stems from the May 9 hiring of former Congressman Blake Farenthold as a lobbyist. The Advocate claims the agenda did not properly notify the public because it did not include Farenthold’s name, position or salary. The port disagrees, but its attorney for the case, Bill Cobb, did not return calls for additional comment.

The case was going to go to trial in September, but the port’s appeal of Bell’s ruling delayed that. That means the port continues to pay Farenthold about $13,000 a month without the requirement to document what he’s doing for that money.

“The newspaper and the public believe this matter should be resolved quickly, given the taxpayer funds are being expended and the port seems to be engaging in delay tactic after delay tactic,” the Advocate’s attorney, John Griffin, said. Griffin said that if the Advocate prevails in this case, the taxpayers cannot get their money back because Farenthold is not part of the lawsuit.

“The money that’s been paid to him will unfortunately remain in his pocket, and that’s why the Advocate will be asking the Court of Appeals to move quickly,” he said.