Name That Party: “Whistleblower” lawsuit alleges political favoritism within Donna ISD

10/28/2014

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Former Donna Independent School District Police Department Chief Roy Padilla filed a lawsuit in Hidalgo County earlier this month.

The court documents outline why he said he was terminated without just cause.

Padilla has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement. The last two years of his career in law enforcement were spent as the police chief at Donna ISD.

“I was really having fun and really enjoying taking care of our students there," explained Padilla.
          
That all came to an end back in May. The district released this statement to Action4:
"At this time Chief Padilla is no longer employed by Donna ISD, however, Donna ISD thanks Chief Padilla for his service to the District and the Donna ISD Police Department."

Padilla's attorney has filed a suit claiming Padilla was ‘wrongfully terminated’ after he allegedly failed to follow directives and reported irregularities to federal agencies.

For the first time, Padilla is speaking out and believes the reason behind his termination is retaliation.

Action 4 News asked Padilla if he felt he had been asked to do things that were ethically, morally, and legally wrong.

“Right, yes,” said Padilla.

“All around?” asked Action 4 News reporter Ashly Custer.

“Right," Padilla confirmed.

The newly filed lawsuit also claims Padilla's authority to run the police department was undermined because he was being told what decisions to make such as “assign a take home unit to an underperforming but politically connected officer”, the lawsuit alleges.

“If I felt the decision placed upon me from the Superintendent was completely wrong and not right, I would voice my concern and my opinion," said Padilla.
           
Padilla told Action 4 News, which is also outlined in his lawsuit, that he witnessed "irregularities including contract rigging and improper political favoritism committed by both Superintendent Reyna and members of the DISD Board of Trustees."

Padilla claims he reported "irregularities" to federal authorities.

"I've always been on the side of the law and it’s got to be fairness. If there’s something as a law enforcement officer [that] I need to bring up to somebody's attention that is in the best interested for all- I'm going to do that. There no sense in being involved in somebody's political game," said Padilla.

We took his allegations straight to Superintendent Reyna, but our calls have gone unanswered.

Action 4 News also paid a visit to his office, but we were told he was not available.

 That’s why we also attempted to speak with Asst. Superintendent Fernando Castillo, but he directed us back to the superintendent's office.

However, just before leaving the Donna ISD, Superintendent Reyna arrived at the building.

Action 4 News reporter Ashly Custer said, “I don’t know if you got my messages, I left messages.”

“I did,” replied the superintendent.

“Friday, I think Monday, and then today,” explained Action 4 News.

“I get lots of messages," responded Reyna.

The superintendent then told us that it’s a personnel matter and he could not comment, but he did walk us to his office to provide us with the following written statement:

“Without going into the substance of Mr. Padilla’s allegations, Donna Independent School District has followed legal and local policies in terminating Mr. Padilla’s employment with the district. We believe that the civil legal system will reveal that Mr. Padilla’s allegations lack merit. At the end of the day, the school board and I made the decision based on what was in the best interest of the school district.”

Roy Padilla is suing not only to get his job back, but he is also suing for damages such as wages lost and legal fees.

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