Lubbock County officials have formally requested that Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Open Records Division evaluate a public‑information request filed by Lubbock Lights on Sept. 16. The request seeks payment records, invoices, contracts, and communications concerning attorney Kristen Vander‑Plas LaFreniere, who represented former Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Meurer, as well as any approvals by Commissioners Court.
Background on the salary controversy
Meurer received nearly $70,000 in salary from the county for about nine months after District Judge Patrick Pirtle ordered Jason Corley restored to the Precinct 2 commissioner’s seat. The county later halted the payments. Meurer has said he set the money aside and intends to return the full amount, and Commissioner Michael Dalby indicated the county will seek recovery.
In a Sept. 16 statement, Meurer said he repeatedly raised concerns about the payments with County Judge Curtis Parrish and would withdraw from the legal fight over Corley’s position. The county’s request to withhold records argues that disclosure could interfere with a pending criminal investigation into the payroll irregularities.
Attorney‑General request and cited exemptions
The county’s Sept. 30 letter to the Attorney General cites several Texas Public Information Act exemptions, including Government Code §552.108(a)(1), which protects information held by law‑enforcement or prosecutors when release could impede detection, investigation, or prosecution of a crime. The letter also references sections 552.101, 552.107, 552.117, 552.130, and 552.136.
Importantly, the Attorney General has not yet ruled on the confidentiality of the records. The county’s filing seeks a determination while the Midland County District Attorney’s Office conducts its own criminal investigation, a step the county says helps expedite the process once the hold is lifted.
Legal fight that sparked the payments
The dispute began in December when Judge Curtis Parrish declared that Jason Corley automatically resigned from the Precinct 2 seat after becoming a congressional candidate, and he administered the oath of office to Meurer. Corley challenged the decision, leading to involvement by the State of Texas and a subsequent court order restoring Corley to the commissioner’s seat. The case moved through the Texas Supreme Court and the Seventh Court of Appeals in Amarillo, which had scheduled oral arguments for Oct. 13. Those arguments became unnecessary after Meurer announced his withdrawal.
Recent developments
On Sept. 21, Commissioners Court approved a resolution supporting an independent Texas Rangers investigation into the payroll irregularities, with Judge Parrish recusing himself from the vote. The following day, Lubbock Lights reported that attorney LaFreniere had emailed the county demanding payment of past‑due invoices, stating she had been assured the county would pay them as they arose. LaFreniere’s email did not identify who made that commitment.
On Sept. 29, Criminal District Attorney Sunshine Stanek recused herself and her office from the investigation, and the Lubbock County DA’s Office referred the matter to the Midland County District Attorney’s Office.
What the public wants to know
Lubbock Lights is pursuing the records to answer three key questions: Who authorized the payments to Meurer? Under what authority were they made? And did the county follow required procedural steps? The county’s request to withhold portions of the records underscores the tension between transparency and the need to protect an active criminal investigation.
As the Attorney General reviews the exemptions, the community awaits clarification on whether the requested documents will become public, a step that could shed light on county payroll practices and ensure accountability for public funds.
Original reporting: Lubbock Lights — read the source article.
