Feb. 2—RAYMONDVILLE — After five years of court wranglings, a former Raymondville school district truancy officer's lawsuit is heading back into the wheels of justice.
Last week, a Willacy County 197th state District court jury handed down a $200,000 judgment against the school district stemming from former truancy officer Ruben Ruiz's 2018 Whistleblower lawsuit claiming Police Chief Oscar Gutierrez fired him after he reported a fellow officer's alleged "oppression."
Now, district officials are planning to challenge the jury's verdict, standing by Gutierrez's decision to fire Ruiz.
"The district will challenge this verdict through post-judgment motions and-or appeal," officials stated in a press release Wednesday. "The district stands by the decision of its administration and the police chief to create an effective police force and denies any wrongdoing alleged by Mr. Ruiz."
Lawsuit claims
In his lawsuit filed in 2018, Ruiz, who had worked for the district's police department for five years, claimed Gutierrez fired him after he requested an investigation into what he described as a fellow officer's "oppressive acts" against himself and another officer.
"At all times, (Ruiz) was a loyal, hardworking and dedicated employee who had met and exceeded (the school district's) performance standards as established," the lawsuit filed by attorney John Shergold states. "At no time during (Ruiz's) employment had (he) been ever reprimanded or suspended from his duties."
The lawsuit...
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