Galveston County Sheriff Jimmy Fullen and the Texas Fee on Regulation Enforcement (TCOLE) have entered mediation in a lawsuit filed by Fullen to cease the fee from revoking his peace officer’s license for allegedly not disclosing earlier arrests.
Final Friday, Galveston County District Courtroom Choose Jeth Jones accepted a movement for abatement pending mediation — basically pausing the continuing authorized proceedings whereas the 2 events try to come back to an settlement outdoors of courtroom. The abatement order was signed two days earlier than the courtroom was set to have its first listening to on Monday. That listening to and the opposite two scheduled hearings have since been canceled.
The lawsuit — initially filed March 3 — pertains to a June 2024 suggestion by TCOLE to revoke Fullen’s peace officer license. The TCOLE suggestion got here as Fullen was actively working because the Republican candidate for Galveston County Sheriff. After successful his election, Fullen filed a lawsuit in opposition to TCOLE, arguing the fee doesn’t have the authorized authority to revoke his license whereas he’s serving as an elected sheriff.
Below Texas regulation, a sheriff should have an lively peace officer’s license. If Fullen’s license have been revoked, he can be unable to function sheriff.
In line with TCOLE’s criticism, the fee accused Fullen of falsifying authorities paperwork by knowingly omitting data. Together with a number of different allegations, TCOLE claims that Fullen failed to incorporate data relating to his legal historical past, particularly a number of arrests — together with for assault — that occurred within the Nineteen Eighties.
Fullen’s legal professional, Tony Buzbee, stated in a press release to Houston Public Media that the 2 events entered mediation after TCOLE agreed to pause its administrative hearings relating to Fullen’s revocation. Buzbee stated the mediation might start in June.
“Backside line: each the admin continuing and lawsuit are at a standstill pending mediation,” Buzbee wrote in a press release. “We hope in mediation to resolve this matter cooperatively so Sheriff Fullen can put this behind him.”
Retired Galveston County sheriff’s sergeant Kenneth Williams filed the unique criticism that led to TCOLE’s investigation into Fullen. Williams stated if Fullen and TCOLE come to an settlement in mediation, the small print will probably not be made public.
“My perspective on that is that this type of strikes it behind closed doorways so the politicians can do their factor,” he stated. “We cannot learn about it and we can’t know what the ultimate [resolution] shall be.”
Fullen didn’t reply to a request for remark Monday relating to the civil lawsuit. He advised Houston Public Media in July that he would combat to take care of his license.
“I’ve filed a solution with TCOLE and intend to contest the allegations,” Fullen stated in a textual content message in July. “My peace officer’s license is unaffected by the mere submitting of those allegations.”
A spokesperson for TCOLE stated it couldn’t touch upon pending litigation.
