Michelle Lyons, TDCJ's previously terminated Public Information Officer, has her suit filed against the agency, and is now just awaiting her day in court. Lyons, a longtime TDCJ employee, was ousted after she took a stand against the way the agency was keeping time in her department. Later she was harassed for supplying this website with public information. The same information she supplied the media outlets, and covered under the Texas Open Records Act. This all eventually brought about her constructive termination by the agency she served so diligently for years. Check out the original story as posted by the Backgate back in June of 2012.
Reprint of the original story posted by a Backgate Reporter;
Ousted TDCJ Public Information Officer Michelle Lyons sits patiently as she awaits her day in federal court after filing a lawsuit against the TDCJ for gender discrimination and retaliation. We heard from Michelle today and she is doing just fine. Her attorneys are working diligently to clear her good name, and to prove that the agency is nothing more then bullies harassing good employees. Something that most TDCJ employees already know and have seen themselves. Michelle sends thanks to all who have continued to support her in her actions against the agency.
Weeks back, The Backgate spoke to Texas Senator John Whitmire regarding a statement he made to a local reporter regarding Michelle Lyons and her ordeal with the TDCJ. Whitmire stated that he threw Lyons out of a public meeting after she was disrespectful and " popped her gum" while he proceeded with the meeting. A charge that was unfounded after evidence proved that he and Lyons were never in that type of environment together other then at a Senate hearing regarding cell phones, and on that occasion nothing happened. Insiders say that Whitmire confused Lyons with another staff member who did create an issue at a meeting involving Offender families. Whitmire called us at the Backgate to " clear the issue up" but never actually spoke with anyone here. We suspect he realized that Lyons actually filed the lawsuit against TDCJ and that what he said about Lyons was slanderous, so he recused himself of the matter. Recent attempts to contact his office have gone unanswered.
Although Senator Whitmire has typically been of assistance to us here in this forum, it seems he is riding the fence on this issue. We would like to see him do the right thing and set out to find the truth before the state loses millions in law suits over inept administrators in Huntsville. On another note, one of our staffers is one step closer to proving his case of retaliation against the TDCJ after he was targeted after being identified as one of our affiliates here. Attorneys are involved, and we cannot speak on the issue in depth, but it appears that the writing is on the wall with this one as well. These are just two of the stories on the issue of corruption within the agency itself. I am sure there have been thousands of others affected over the years. Well TDCJ, looks like the taxpayers and Legislators aren't amused by the lack of direction and poor management. Time to clean out the attic so to speak.
To see a recent article on the latest with Michelle Lyons, CLICK HERE to go to the Austin Chronicle!
Click HERE to read the lawsuit !
From the Desk of BoBoTheBeaten
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're keeping this story updated. I hope she cleans their clocks. I only wish those responsible would also be responsible for the financial lose by the taxpayers.
A lot of people in "high" places are monitoring this story among others. When all is said and done i will be surprised if it all doesn't end in Senate hearings and a media firestorm when the truth comes out on record in federal court. We are in contact with Ms. Lyons and will keep everyone updated at a moments notice of need be.
ReplyDelete