Settlement reached in Tax Assessor Office lawsuit
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Dec 29, 2009
Story Updated:
Dec 30, 2009
A case between the county and ten former employees with the Tax Assessor's Office has been settled.
The resolution came after a closed-door meeting between County Commissioners as a request made by County Attorney Ana Laura Cavazos and the attorney representing the County in this case, Kyle Watson.
The Commissioners and the County Judge went behind close doors to make a decision to either settle or continue with the case.
The case involves ten County employees who were let go for allegedly not participating in Patricia Barrera’s previous campaign:
After two hours of deliberating behind closed doors, the Commissioners and the Judge came back with "no action taken" in the matter but later took the recommendations of the attorneys as both parties settle for almost a million dollars:
"The insurance carrier agreed to do a settlement of 950 thousand dollars. It’s for all the plaintiffs, attorney's fees and all costs."
Aside from the $8.5 million the former employees were looking for in the lawsuit, they also asked for their jobs back but Barrera says that's not going to happen.
Commissioners say they have spent thousands of dollars on the case, and are just glad that it's finally over.
Barrera is still facing gambling charges stemming from a lengthy investigation by the State Attorney General's office.
The trial is set to go to court in February.
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Jail time for Pat said on Tuesday, Dec 29 at 11:47 PM
Pat is costing the poorest of taxpayers in our nation too much. She may feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside because of the result. But, it's costing us for her decisions. State of Texas, please throw Pat in prison. I hear GEP offers three squares a day.
34588687??? said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 12:01 AM
SHE MIGHT HAVE FAITH AS SHE SAID ON THE PRO 8 NEWS THAT EVERYTHING WILL COME OUT FINE. I JUST THINK SHE SHOULD COME OUT AND SAY THAT SHE SOLD POTS AND ADMIT SHE WAS WRONG. I KNOW SHE SOLD POTS CAUSE A COUSIN OF MINE USED TO WORK THERE. THAT AND SEVERAL FRIENDS WOULD SAY THEY PURCHASED FROM HER AS WELL. JUST BE HONEST, COME OUT CLEAN, AND CONTINUE THE GOOD SERVICE.
34589379Jail time for Pat.... said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 12:14 AM
I meant GEO Group. Pat should be in Prison. I don't know how Laredo can progress with persons like her in power? It's beyond logic.
34589824950 Million Dollars said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 12:53 AM
WOW!!!!! What a #. Repeat 950 Million Dollars. Was firing these poor lower paid hard working worth it? What satisfaction does Pat B get from all this? Does she get even more big headed?
34591427PROMETHEUS said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 8:11 AM
Does anyone remember what it was like to visit that office before Pat took over? I don't care what they allege she's done, as long as she hasn't killled someone, leave her to do her job. County employees are always sueing for lose of their jobs, look at the Sheriiff's office.
34603737Who doesn't participate in pots said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 9:05 AM
Oh come on. Now and days who doesn't participate in pots...give me a break people. I agree with letting her do her job, which she did well, and leave it at that. Why are they making such a big deal out of this??? Is it because you never won???? Hmmmm, makes you wonder.....
34606712Outsider said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 9:33 AM
Well it looks like to me that more crooked politics took place, firing someone for not placing bumper stickers supporting her is just wrong, running illegal gambling pots and forcing others to participate or loose thier jobs is also wrong. To me it's laredo politics as usual. No wonder Laredo is falling behind the rest of the nation. It's like "line my pocket i'll line yours".
34608279cg said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 10:26 AM
This woman should have paid for her own attorney. Now we have to foot the bill because she fired these people just because they would not participate in her pot. Thats just not right. No wonder she does not worry, shes not the one paying for anything, and obviously she will not lose her job either.
34612527cg said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 10:28 AM
Its who you know and who you blow. She must have strong pull with city officials to keep her job.
34612654Santos said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 10:29 AM
Barrera que la pongan en le bote...that is where crooked politicians who rip off the taxpayers belong.
34612694CG said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 10:43 AM
Oh so just because she didnt kill anyone and is good at her job does not mean she should be punished. Oh so lets say for instance she was a child molester or drug user but was still good at her job does that mean she should still keep her job , I mean come on she didnt kill anyone. A CRIME IS A CRIME NO MATTER HOW SMALL.
34613937PROMETHEUS said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 12:34 PM
CG, if you have first hand knowledge of Berrera committing a crime, perhaps you should enlighten the local gentry and attorney general's office. No one ever insinuated child molesters or drug users should go un-punished. If it is proved a crime was committed by Barrera she will pay for it. Remember innocent until proven guilty. Also, have you ever known a fired employee to agree they deserved to lose their job? In Laredo we say:the cup spilled? No one ever takes resonsibility and says: I did it.
34621972cg to prometheus said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 12:43 PM
Gambling is illegal. Im not saying shes a drug user or dealer or a child abuser, but she did commit a crime that as petty as it might seem to you, it is still a crime. Everyone knows shes guilty as far as the whole pot thing is concerned, and whats worse she did it while on the tax payers dime and forced all her "slaves" to participate in it. because after all slaves must obey their masters right. You must be related to her or helped her sell those pot tickets.
34622644cg continued... said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 12:47 PM
It was an analogical point I was trying to make that a crime is a crime and anyone in any line of work should be and could be fired for commiting a crime regardless of how petty it is.
34622987cg said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 12:50 PM
I also have never heard of fired employees who deserved to lose their jobs winning a settlement. I mean if they were wrong and deserved to get fired then why give them the settlement?
34623139PROMETHEUS said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 1:10 PM
cq, once again, it has to be proved a crime was committed, in a court of law. Your intuition isn't enought to convict a person. I do not know nor am I related to Barrera; however, I do hold what she did in that office in customer service in high regard. Illegal immigration is also against the law yet I really never hear Laredoans demanding tougher enforcement of those laws. Fired employees are given settlements all the time. 950K DIVIDED AMONG 10 PLAINTIFFS. Their attorneys won, not the workers
34624582TAXPAYER said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 1:33 PM
Ms Barrera should loose her job, according to the HATCH ACT of 1939. She is not above the law and should do some time for what she did.Also,closing WCTAO for h1n1 shows the ignoriance of working with the gen. public. In Feb. she will tried by her peers the 10 people she fired.
34626349I meant 95 million not 950m said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 1:59 PM
Regardless, we the taxpayer have to pay for Barreras errors. Please don't butter her bread about how things used to be before she showed up. In the early 90's Laredo was booming, we had the old smaller bldg at the base and short handed. Pat came in to a nice brand new justice center. Paid by us the taxpayer. Any moron could do what she has done and would have to cost us lost suits and a bad image.
34628342So the service is good said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 2:03 PM
But, it's costing us too much. Pat should resign before she is forced to resign after she is found guilty next February.
34628577It's called a liability said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 2:09 PM
Pat Barrera is a liability to us. Laredoans, when are you going to wake up? This person is nothing more than a egotistical psychopath.
34628979PROMETHEUS said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 2:19 PM
Once again, where is the evidence a crime was committed. If there is a cover up then arrest and throw all the county officials in jail. Remember, if we listen to disgruntled employees all bosses would be in jail. I say, wait until February and see if Barrera is convicted. If she is, perhaps the fired employees will feel foolish for listening to their attorneys and accepting less than 10% of the $8.6 million dollars they initially were suing for.
34629707The evidence is in the 95Million said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 2:29 PM
Do you need more?
34630374PROMETHEUS said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 2:33 PM
Do you mean $950k, ($950,000)?
34630634Teacher said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 4:13 PM
I'm definitely in the wrong profession. Here I thought that going to college, getting my degree, getting my professional job as an educator was the way to go. I play by the rules. I cooperate with my superiors. I am fair with my students. I try to lead by example: no drinking, smoking, swearing, buying pirated movies, participating in football pots, etc. But what our children see all around them: law breakers, child molesters, gamblers, maquinitas...what hope do we give them?
34637519PROMETHEUS said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 6:10 PM
Teacher, thank your parents for your moral compass and success in life. As a teacher, the only way you will make a difference is if you can counter the ignorance and negative influences of your students' parents. If not, Laredo will continue to churn out uneducated citizens that will continue to be enslaved by poverty and the Patron system of politics.
34644677950k paid for the taxpayer for childish behavior said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 6:23 PM
Yeah, I was wrong. It was not 95 Million or 950 million, but in the area of 1 million dollars. However, that's one million that could be better applied towards the needs of the community. Pat Barrera is a child. I hope that she is found guilty in February and sent to prison.
34645312A Knapp said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 6:39 PM
Teacher, your underpaid, a computer tech makes more per year than you do; most of which, don't have degrees. Of course you knew, going in, that a non-technical degree would be paid less than a degree in engineering or chemistry. You chose that degree because you liked the course material, and wanted to help others. That is your payment.
34646259PROMETHEUS said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 7:59 PM
950k paid, I'm sure you are one of the dis-gruntled county employees. You're crushing hatred for Pat Barrera indicates a personal interest not usually associated with the casual observer. Personally, I hope to see justice served. Unlike you, I do not have a burning passion to see anyone imprisoned because of my personal bias. This time of year I truly wish you peace, you seem to need it desperately.
34650272To Teacher said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 10:50 PM
You forgot to serve your country in the US Armed forces before being a teacher and did not go for a paid vacation to the Persian Gulf Wars or Afghanistan. The Peace be with you, while others are in Hell.
34657824Gato Bonito said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 11:07 PM
This is another slap in the face to the voters of Laredo. It is a shame and a disgrace to the people of Laredo to have these type of politicians, To run a governmental office as a personal kingdom and a corruption center is stupid enough to send her to prison.
34658454Anonymous said on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 11:41 PM
The "Patron System", ALIVE and doing WELL...
34659844Teacher said on Thursday, Dec 31 at 2:33 PM
I didn't mean to imply that I hate my job. If a person chooses to become teacher, it is definitely not for the pay. I truly care about my students and am glad to see them go off to prestigious universities. Thank you, PROMETHEUS, for mentioning the role of responsible parents in a child's life. Yes, A Knapp, teaching is its own reward. Truth be told "3:50 AM To Teacher," I never did consider a military career. I try to be a good wife, mother, and teacher. That's it.
34692274Teacher said on Thursday, Dec 31 at 2:36 PM
(Back to the topic)--As far as Barrera is concerned, it's true that many are offended by what seems to be another example of corruption or injustice, but she is facing a trial in February. I don't think we know all the facts, but if she's guilty, then she should be punished. A crime is a crime.
34692487The sooner Pat in Prison dbetter said on Thursday, Dec 31 at 3:37 PM
Laredoans, we are better served having our State going after criminals like Pat. I hope that she is found guilty and sent to prison where criminals belong. Peace to all. Happy Holidays. Happy New Year. Don't drink and Drive. Don't pop fireworks. Let's give peace a chance.
34695439Taxpayer said on Thursday, Dec 31 at 4:02 PM
I only know one thing...I WILL NOT vote for her again - it is that simple.
34696477EL CHUCO65 said on Thursday, Dec 31 at 4:04 PM
PAT JUST SAY THE TRUTH YOU SOLD LOTTERY AND FACE THE FACTS.LOOK YOU HAVE GOOD SERVICE.NO DOUBT BUT YOUR SALARY AND THE LAWSUIT IS COSTFULL.TO THE TAX PAYERS.JUST SAY THE TRUTH.LOOK ITS GOING TO BE MORE EMBARRESEED TO ADMIT THE TRUTH AFTER YOU ARE FOUND GUILTY.SO ACCEPT YOUR THING AND GO.
34696519to elchuco65 said on Thursday, Dec 31 at 4:19 PM
Barrera is not going to say the truth. She and the truth have a long-going anger. She uses God in vain. She will be punished. At the end, they all are. Look at Rove, his wife told him to take a hike. Look at Rush. He's in a Hawaiin Hospitcal recoving from a Heart Attack. In the end, they all pay.
34697169PROMETHEUS said on Thursday, Dec 31 at 7:32 PM
to elchuco65, if they all get theirs in the end, what will Sen. Edwards get? Remember Chappiquidick? What will Teddy Kennedy get? Remember N. Korea's nuclear program? That was financed and implemented by American Physicists, compliments of Billy Clinton. No wonder he was able to secure the release of those journalists, they owed him. What will Clinton get? The media that smeared Bush, yet do not criticize Obama for spending us into oblivion and socializing government.What will we get? Screwed!
34704782to Prometheus said on Thursday, Dec 31 at 7:39 PM
I knew you were a conservative. The way you defended Barrera for the simple fact of Status Quo. You also mentioned Kennedy. Sorry to burst your cliche but Barrera should not be mentioned with the Kennedy name. Kennedy is dead and gone. He was a great Senator whom fought and defended our rights. Barrera is only out to defend her check.
34705032Poll: Should Barrera be imprisoned? said on Thursday, Dec 31 at 8:19 PM
I say yes
34706292PROMETHEUS said on Thursday, Dec 31 at 8:31 PM
It is apparent which way KGNS slants politically when they censor my posts and allow left slanted bloggers to slander my wife in other posts and not allow me equal time. Even though my posts do not extend past the bloggers themselves. I wish there were other news outlets to compete with you ameteurs.
34706649PROMETHEUS said on Thursday, Dec 31 at 8:35 PM
The only rights Teddy Kennedy ever exercised were the right to an attorney. The rights he ever defended were his after the horrible death of Mary Jo Kapechne at Chappiquidick. I do not hold any Laredo politician in the same class as Teddy. He was truly special, so special he got a way with murder, at the very least manslaughter. Does Pat Barrera really that devious?
34706762Prometheus said on Thursday, Dec 31 at 8:40 PM
I can't speak for Pro8news, but I find Pro8news more right-leaning than left. I read the other post where someone used some derogatory language about your family. That person was and is wrong. Now, stick to the issue of Pat Barrera and don't sway away from topic. Happy New Year!
34706912Anonymous said on Friday, Jan 1 at 4:22 AM
God Bless Pat Barrera.
34716172She is not Kennedy said on Friday, Jan 1 at 7:51 AM
She is just a small time, small town crooked politician. playing dirty games with Government employees.
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