March 22, 2023      11:18 AM

DMN: Office of the Attorney General argues whistleblowers should have known settlement funding could take years to approve

“Solicitor General Judd Stone told the Supreme Court it’s not the agency’s fault that lawmakers may not fund the $3.3 million settlement this year”

The story from Dallas Morning News reporter Lauren McGaughy

The Office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says a group of whistleblowers who sued the agency should have known it could take years to get legislative approval to fund their proposed settlement.

In a response filed with the Supreme Court of Texas on Monday, Solicitor General Judd Stone argued it’s not the agency’s fault that lawmakers may not fund the $3.3 million settlement this year and accused the four whistleblowers of “coordinating with the media” to influence the negotiations. “Respondents knew and should have known that such approval would likely be controversial and could take at least one additional legislative session,” Stone wrote. “Respondents also should have known that large settlements or judgments can lead to disputes.”

“Nevertheless, respondents agreed to a binding [settlement] ‘contingent upon all necessary approvals for funding’ without a timing provision,” he added.

Copyright March 22, 2023, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved