State District Judge Joe Ramirez of the 464th District Court said at an October 20 hearing that he would rule by October 23 on whether Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza must give sworn testimony and produce documents in a lawsuit brought by Uncommonly, LLC against the Mission Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The company seeks more than $1 million in damages, alleging breach of contract, fraud and violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. It says MEDC failed to repair a leaking roof at a leased property at Cimarron Country Club.
MEDC's attorney, Erick Holguin, argued that the mayor has "apex protection," a legal shield for high-ranking officials. He said she has no unique knowledge of the case and that her knowledge comes only from the litigation status shared in executive session. Holguin said the plaintiff should use a less intrusive way to get information before the trial, currently set for February 2027.
Plaintiff attorney Gerardo Acevedo, Jr. pointed to 166 pages of emails that MEDC real estate consultant Mark Hanna turned over in August. He said the emails show the mayor has information about the lawsuit and that the plaintiff had already tried less intrusive methods without success. Holguin said depositions are scheduled for MEDC board President Richard Hernandez on November 12 and Interim CEO Joe Salazar within 30 days. He asked the court for a protective order to stop the deposition of Norie Gonzalez Garza from moving forward.