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Nueces County court consults outside counsel, seeks state opinion on paying counsel for DA removal case
Summary
After discussing whether the county should pay for outside counsel to represent District Attorney Mark Gonzales in a removal petition, the court met in executive session and directed counsel to seek a formal Texas Attorney General opinion about whether section 157 of the Local Government Code requires county-funded representation for a district attorney in a removal action.
The Nueces County Commissioner's Court on March 8 debated whether the county must provide or should fund outside legal defense for District Attorney Mark Gonzales in a petition to remove him from office. The court first ratified limited, day'of retention of Branscum PLLC for legal advice and later moved into executive session to consult outside counsel about the county's obligations.
Commissioner Chesney pressed for the matter to be discussed in open session, saying the issue is "a public matter" and that "the public ought to hear it." Keith Cichgowsky of Branscum PLLC advised the court to hear the full legal scope in executive session first so commissioners understand the limits of…
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