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Ex-Pharr Police Chief Sues City

Wednesday 9-16-2020

Click HERE to see the latest information in the court documents regarding the lawsuit. 

 

The former Pharr police chief is suing the city in state district court (the 275 th ), claiming they de-appointed him in June back to his previous rank of lieutenant because he was blowing the whistle on the city, telling Texas Rangers that Interim City Manager Ed Wylie was (allegedly) breaking the law by misusing public information. The city denies it.

The public information Wylie requested from Luengo had to do with a criminal investigation that had become stalled for more than a year at the PD, which was tied to a theft charge ultimately filed against former PSJA ISD employee Homero Villarreal.

For his part, Jose Luengo, Pharr’s former chief, is asking for monetary damages not less than $200,000 but not more than $1 million. The full story will be published online today by noon (Sept. 16).

“While it is not customary for the City of Pharr to comment on pending litigation,” wrote Wylie in a public statement, “the City finds it necessary to issue the following statement in response to frivolous allegations lodged in the recent lawsuit by Lt. Luengo:

“The City of Pharr absolutely denies the claims made by Lt. Luengo in his recently filed frivolous lawsuit. Under civil service law, Mr. Luengo served as Chief of Police at the will and pleasure of the City Manager. As stated in prior press releases, the Mayor and City Commission emphatically supports the City Manager’s decision to take the city in a new direction.

“Having lost confidence in the abilities and judgment of Mr. Luengo as Chief of Police, his appointment was rescinded, and he was placed back to his prior rank of Lieutenant, as called for by civil service law. Mr. Luengo’s claim that his removal was motivated by a retaliatory bias has no merit or truth whatsoever. The City expects to fully prevail in the lawsuit.”

The news was running late this week at the news desk, so look for the complete story online Wednesday (Sept. 16) by noon. Also, news about PSJA ISD’s latest school board meeting, during which the temporary COVID-related closure of Doedyn’s Elementary was discussed. The school has since been re-opened after undergoing a deep clean.

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