NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - After two years, a group of highway patrol officers once stationed in Nacogdoches and Center may have their Whistleblower Act lawsuit heard before a jury.
This week a federal judge ruled four DPS troopers have at least some claims worth hearing before a jury. The standout allegation is their supervisor, Sgt Robert Shugart implemented a traffic stop quota system first in Center and then in Nacogdoches.
Their attorney, Tanner Franklin, says the argument is cut and dried.
“The law makes traffic ticket quotas and arrest quotas illegal,” he said.
Furthermore, he said the sergeant was observed by his bosses offering monetary prizes to troopers who reached their quotas.
“And that’s exactly what these troopers reported was occurring in Nacogdoches and other duty stations in Deep East Texas,” said Franklin.
Franklin can argue retaliation, including reassignments to stations far from troopers’ home and family.
“The defendants have tried at least three separate times to get this case dismissed and each time the court has largely rejected those attempts,” said Franklin.
However, some claims under the Texas Whistleblower Act were rejected, including ones made by a fifth trooper who joined the case late. The court finds he didn’t follow procedural prerequisites.
Franklin is disappointed, but not discouraged.
“The case itself is going forward and is going to get presented to a jury of East Texans,” said Franklin.
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