SAN ANTONIO — City Councilman Greg Brockhouse has asked District Attorney Nico LaHood and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to conduct a criminal investigation questioning the way City Council conducts closed session meetings, citing it as a violation of  the Texas Open Meetings Act.

The request appears to stem from an executive session last week regarding a bid for the Republican National Convention to the city of San Antonio.

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After the closed door meeting with City Council members last Thursday, one that Brockhouse was a part of, Mayor Ron Nirenberg made it clear — there is no chance the City of San Antonio will pursue a proposal to host the Republican National Convention in 2020.

Brockhouse argued that the reasons given by the Mayor are just excuses, saying the difference is the man at the top of the ticket. He also alleged that the story would be different had the DNC reached out. The Mayor rebutted saying there is no interest in the DNC, either.

A few days later, a letter sent from Brockhouse to LaHood, with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the Texas Rangers copied, emerged.

“It is my opinion there were clear violations within the discussions that warrant investigation,” Brockhouse wrote in a letter sent to District Attorney Nico LaHood on Tuesday. “However, as the violations were committed in the confines of the closed session, I am prohibited from disclosing the facts, unless compelled to do so through investigation.”

“[The meeting is the] latest and most blatant example which threatens the very fabric of open government,” he wrote.

Mayor Nirenberg disagreed, saying the meeting was fully compliant.

“City Council’s conversation about the Republican National Convention was conducted in the standard manner for economic development and other matters that are covered by the exceptions in the Open Meetings Act,” Nirenberg wrote in a statement Tuesday. “We conducted the meeting as advised by legal counsel, who was present. We are confident that the discussion was compliant with state law.”

District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño’s statement:

Councilman Brockhouse believes that the discussion was a violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act and has asked for a criminal investigation by the District Attorney. No other issues are relevant to Mr. Brockhouse’s request. I would like to make clear that this is not about the merits of having, or not having, the convention in San Antonio.

In my time on City Council, I know the significance of conducting the City’s business in the ‘light of day’ so our citizens can have access to the planning and management of our City. The Open Meetings Act allows our citizens to have the greatest confidence in their government as they can see the decision-making process take place. The law also recognizes some exceptions to that rule, based on sound public policy. Although these exceptions are limited, they must be carefully followed.

If a Councilmember ever feels there are issues with an executive session, the available remedy is to not participate in the meeting.

The fulfillment of our duties as Councilmembers is best met by allocating our time, efforts and resources to meet the needs of our community— not politically motivated probes. I take exception to the allegation of criminal conduct in fulfilling my responsibilities as an elected official by participating in an executive session. There is a civil and collegial way for elected officials to test the legality of an executive session and/or the discussions, without accusing colleagues of committing a crime.

Rhetorical grandstanding is a divisive tool that is meant to distract us from our responsibility to govern and, more importantly, from serving the people we represent.

District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez’s statement:

I’m taken aback and disappointed by Councilman Brockhouse’s lamentable attacks and the casting of ugly aspersions on the work this City Council does to gather information and discuss matters allowed under the Texas Open Meetings Act.

His accusation that we committed criminal violations of Texas law makes for exciting red-meat politics to help bolster his aspirations to higher office. However, if getting accused of a crime is what we get from meeting with Councilman Brockhouse, why in the world would we want to meet with him for anything else going forward?

In my view, playing fast and loose with referrals to criminal prosecutors and law enforcement to score points is cheap and it’s what people hate about modern-day populist politics.”

After reaching out to the DA’s Office, this was the statement provided: “We are currently conducting our legal analysis of the issues presented to determine what if any course of action is appropriate.”