The Windcrest City Ethics Commission convened on December 5, 2024, to address allegations surrounding a previous city council meeting incident involving Mr. Yax and Mr. West Manning. The primary focus of the hearing was an ethics complaint filed by a citizen, which claimed that Mr. Yax threw a pencil across the room during the May 6, 2024, meeting, an action deemed significant enough to warrant an ethics investigation.

The session began with a review of video footage from the May meeting, which was requested by the commission to clarify the events in question. The city secretary confirmed that the video was ready for playback, although there were concerns about the audio quality. The complainant was questioned about the accuracy of their affidavit, which stated that Mr. Yax threw the pencil across the room. Upon viewing the video, the complainant acknowledged that Mr. Yax had thrown the pencil into the air rather than across the room, leading to a pivotal moment in the hearing.

The commission highlighted the importance of the affidavit submitted by the complainant, which must be signed under penalty of perjury. The complainant maintained that their initial observation during the meeting was accurate, despite the video evidence suggesting otherwise. The discussion also touched on whether Mr. Yax's actions had obstructed the meeting's proceedings. The complainant conceded that while the meeting did not come to a complete halt, there was a brief interruption due to the heated exchange.

Further questioning revealed inconsistencies in the complainant's understanding of the video evidence and the process of filing an ethics complaint. The complainant admitted to not reviewing the video prior to filing the complaint, raising questions about the basis for their allegations. The hearing underscored the procedural gravity of filing an ethics complaint, which involves significant resources and attention from city officials.

As the session concluded, the commission emphasized the need for accurate and truthful reporting in ethics complaints, reiterating the serious implications such allegations can have on city governance and public trust. The commission will continue to deliberate on the findings from the hearing and determine the appropriate next steps in addressing the complaint.