The Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in Frazier v. Chabot, a defamation case that raises questions about free-speech protections for political criticism of elected officials. Former State Rep. Frederick Frazier, a Republican from McKinney, sued Paul Chabot, his 2022 Republican primary rival, over statements on a website Chabot created.
Frazier pleaded guilty in December 2023 to criminal mischief for vandalizing campaign signs. He also pleaded no contest to two counts of attempted impersonation of a public servant. Under a plea deal, he received deferred adjudication, and he resigned from the Dallas Police Department that month. His departure was first classified as a dishonorable discharge, and he later reached a confidential settlement to change it to a general discharge.
During the May 2024 Republican primary runoff, Chabot's website said Frazier had been "convicted" and "dishonorably discharged." Frazier sued in June 2024, saying those statements were false and cost him his re-election bid. Chabot asked for the case to be dismissed under the Texas Citizens Participation Act. Judge Jim Pruitt denied the motion, and Chabot appealed to the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas. The article was cut off before it described that court's ruling.