Official accused of using obscenity

Ethics complaint is retaliation by political foes, says League City mayor

GALVESTON — The mayor of League City is accused of using an obscenity to describe a councilwoman and intimidating at least two female employees, according to an ethics complaint filed last week by the city attorney.

The complaint is the latest friction among city leaders since Pat Hallisey became mayor in a March special election. Hallisey denies the allegations, calling the complaint retaliation for his victory over the candidate supported by five of the six council members.

“This council and the city manager have conspired in every way to remove the mayor’s power from the city,” Hallisey said.

He said he has asked

Galveston County District Attorney Jack Roady to investigate a violation of Texas open meetings laws by council members who signed a letter asking him to apologize for the alleged gender slur.

In a six-page complaint filed by City Attorney Nghiem Doan, Hallisey is accused of violating city rules of conduct and laws barring workplace discrimination by using an obscenity against Councilwoman Heidi Hansing during a heated discussion on May 10 with a councilman that was overheard by deputy City Attorney Michelle Villarreal. Hansing could not be reached for comment.

The complaint also alleges that in mid-May, City Secretary Diana Stapp made a verbal complaint to human resources about the mayor intimidating her and other employees by yelling and tossing things in her office. Stapp allegedly complained that the mayor was pressuring her to do unspecified things that were contrary to city rules and that he became angry when she refused.

The complaint said another city employee threatened to resign if the mayor persisted in pressuring her to violate city rules.

Conduct at issue

The complaint also alleges that Hallisey confronted Communications Director Angel Lopez on May 25 about not doing enough to communicate with homeowners associations. The mayor allegedly trapped Lopez in her chair by placing his hands on both chair arms, leaned in and “chastised her.” The complaint said, “Mayor Hallisey’s conduct toward Ms. Lopez was offensive and degrading, invaded her personal space, and made her feel very uncomfortable.”

Hallisey denied pressuring and intimidating employees.

“It’s a whole lot of foolishness about nothing,” Hallisey said. “I like those people, and they would tell you I wouldn’t intimidate anyone.”

Neither Stapp nor Lopez responded to requests for comment.

‘I’m going to survive’

Doan said that a City Council vote was not necessary for an ethics complaint but that the council decided it was appropriate in this case because only the council can discipline the mayor or other council members. He said he advised council members that signing a letter asking the mayor to apologize did not violate open meetings law, even though it was not done in a public meeting. “They were doing this in good faith based on my counsel,” Doan said.

Doan said he has chosen an outside attorney as the ethics compliance officer to investigate the complaints. An independent eightmember Ethics Review Board chosen by the mayor and City Council must confirm his choice. The panel will appoint at least five of its members to rule on the final report.

If an ethics violation is determined, Hallisey could receive a letter sanctioning his behavior or a civil fine of up to $500, Doan said. The City Council could also vote to censure him, a stronger condemnation that requires a five-eighths vote of members present.

“I’m going to survive all this,” Hallisey said. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“It’s a whole lot of foolishness about nothing.” Pat Hallisey, League City mayor