Lawsuit against Castle Hills forces budget workshop cancellations

UPDATE:

CASTLE HILLS, Texas – Three Castle Hills City Council members – two of whom were arrested in mid-July – have filed a lawsuit against the city.

Mayor JR Trevino said the suit was brought against the city of Castle Hills by council members Sylvia Gonzalez, Lesley Wenger and Mark Sanderson.

In response to the suit, Judge Peter Sakai ordered that the council could not hold meetings or vote on personnel matters.

Trevino announced the budget meetings for Tuesday and Thursday were canceled.

"The legal counsel representing Castle Hills has reached out to Ms. Gonzalez, Mr. Sanderson, and Ms. Wenger's legal counsel with hopes of coming to mutually satisfactory terms that would allow the budget workshop meetings to proceed," Trevino said in a news release.

On July 18, Wenger, 77, and Gonzalez, 72, were arrested and face charges that stem from their alleged efforts to get City Manager Ryan Rapelye fired.

The next hearing for the lawsuit is scheduled for Aug. 9. 

(Previously)

A judge has ruled Sylvia Gonzalez will continue to be recognized as a Castle Hills City Council member, at least for now, according to her attorney.

The ruling comes after Gonzalez and another council member were arrested and Gonzalez is also alleged to have not been sworn into her position correctly.

The judge’s ruling follows a lawsuit filed against Castle Hills on Monday.

Gonzalez's attorney said the judge granted a temporary restraining order against Castle Hills.

The judge also ruled no one will be allowed to take up votes on personnel matters, such as the hiring and firing of employees.

Another court hearing on the matter is set for Aug. 9.

Gonzalez and fellow council members Lesley Wenger and Mark Sanderson are part of the lawsuit.

Gonzalez and Wenger are accused of crimes in an effort to push out the city manager.