Port Arthur council approves full-and-final release in Filon lawsuit after executive session

The Port Arthur City Council on Feb. 10, 2026 voted after an executive session to enter into a full and final release and indemnity agreement settling litigation filed by Naina Filon against the city (cause no. 25DCCV2233 in the 170th District Court of Jefferson County).

Council member Kinlaw, identified by the council as the member reading the motion after the body reconvened, said, "I make a motion that we enter into a full and final release and indemnity agreement in the Naina Filon versus the City of Port Arthur cause number 25DCCV2233 in the 170th District Court of Jefferson County." The motion was seconded and, by voice vote, the mayor declared the motion passed.

The council did not state a settlement amount on the record. No individual vote tally for the settlement motion was recorded beyond the mayor’s statement that "the ayes have it," and the motion was announced as passing. The action followed an executive session during which the council considered litigation matters listed on the agenda.

The meeting minutes and any executed settlement documents were not read into the public record during the reconvened session; council members instead moved to close out the executive session and the body recorded the executive session as ending at 5:36 p.m.

The council listed the item as a full-and-final release and indemnity agreement; the record does not include further terms, conditions, or a timetable for implementation. The motion was made by Council member Kinlaw and seconded by the member who verbally moved it second on the record.