If everything goes according to plan, the continued cover up by the Brownsville Independent School District of an alleged theft estimated at close to $4,000 from a Bandit Bunny Run Fundraiser at Marilyn Burns elementary School will continue for another two months or more if Texas Attorney General grants it the exemption from disclosure.
In response to an information request on the alleged theft by El Rrun-Rrun, the BISD attorneys responded with a letter stating that they had petitioned the AG to allow them to withhold evidence of any criminal wrongdoing at the school.
The Second Annual Bandit Bunny Run and Egg Hunt held April 7 was a huge success.
But until today, neither Burns Elementary Principal Alma S. Garza or her secretary have had the courtesy to inform the parents, students, staff, or sponsors on the issue.
Instead, they have run to the BISD lawyers to fend off the public's right to know.
In its response, the district lawyer wrote us that our request for "(1) all reports by the BISD administration its police department or any campus or district correspondence concerning the alleged theft of funds from the Burns Elementary Bunny Run Fundraiser; (2) any referrals made to the Brownsville P.D., the Cameron County District Attorney or any other law enforcement agency concerning this alleged theft; (3) copies of any disciplinary actions generated in the case" would be left up to the AG.
But why do we say cover up? Because the district claims that "there is no information responsive to Item #2 and #3," indicating that they have kept everything having to do withe the alleged theft to themselves for nearly seven months and have not concluded the investigation.
"The requested information is part of an investigation by Brownsville Independent School District Police Department," they wrote. "The law enforcement agency is investigating potential criminal activity."
And they cite the Texas Government Code Section 552.108 dealing with exceptions dealing with "Prosecutorial Information, Certain Law Enforcement, Corrections, and
(a) Information held by a law enforcement agency or prosecutor that deals with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if:
(1) Release of the information would interfere with the detection, investigation or prosecution of crime; and
(b) An internal record or notation of a law enforcement agency or prosecutor that is maintained for internal use in matters relating to law enforcement or prosecution is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if:
(1) Release of the internal record or notation would interfere with law enforcement or prosecution.
"As stated previously, the District's Police Force are investigating suspected criminal activity. The requested information pertaining to Item #1 is part of the criminal investigation. At this time, the investigation remains active by the BISD Police Department. The information made the subject of this request is part of the investigation and we believe are privileged and excepted from disclosure under the section of the Act.
"The District provides an affidavit of the lead investigator in this case who swears the matter continues under investigation by the department and "that release of information regarding this case at this time would hinder the investigation and prosecution of this case" (Exhibit E; Affidavit of Sgt. Patrick V. Gabbert)."
We have not been made privy to Gabbert's affidavit and probably never will unless there is a leak at the BISD. However, where there's smoke there's fire and the smoke billowing from Burns and the main office are casting a pall over the entire district.
But until today, neither Burns Elementary Principal Alma S. Garza or her secretary have had the courtesy to inform the parents, students, staff, or sponsors on the issue.
Instead, they have run to the BISD lawyers to fend off the public's right to know.
In its response, the district lawyer wrote us that our request for "(1) all reports by the BISD administration its police department or any campus or district correspondence concerning the alleged theft of funds from the Burns Elementary Bunny Run Fundraiser; (2) any referrals made to the Brownsville P.D., the Cameron County District Attorney or any other law enforcement agency concerning this alleged theft; (3) copies of any disciplinary actions generated in the case" would be left up to the AG.
But why do we say cover up? Because the district claims that "there is no information responsive to Item #2 and #3," indicating that they have kept everything having to do withe the alleged theft to themselves for nearly seven months and have not concluded the investigation.
"The requested information is part of an investigation by Brownsville Independent School District Police Department," they wrote. "The law enforcement agency is investigating potential criminal activity."
And they cite the Texas Government Code Section 552.108 dealing with exceptions dealing with "Prosecutorial Information, Certain Law Enforcement, Corrections, and
(a) Information held by a law enforcement agency or prosecutor that deals with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if:
(1) Release of the information would interfere with the detection, investigation or prosecution of crime; and
(b) An internal record or notation of a law enforcement agency or prosecutor that is maintained for internal use in matters relating to law enforcement or prosecution is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if:
(1) Release of the internal record or notation would interfere with law enforcement or prosecution.
"As stated previously, the District's Police Force are investigating suspected criminal activity. The requested information pertaining to Item #1 is part of the criminal investigation. At this time, the investigation remains active by the BISD Police Department. The information made the subject of this request is part of the investigation and we believe are privileged and excepted from disclosure under the section of the Act.
"The District provides an affidavit of the lead investigator in this case who swears the matter continues under investigation by the department and "that release of information regarding this case at this time would hinder the investigation and prosecution of this case" (Exhibit E; Affidavit of Sgt. Patrick V. Gabbert)."
We have not been made privy to Gabbert's affidavit and probably never will unless there is a leak at the BISD. However, where there's smoke there's fire and the smoke billowing from Burns and the main office are casting a pall over the entire district.
7 comments:
This stinks, they not only steal from the school board, but they steal from the children as well.
Juan changing the subject, in the matter of the school bus tragedy, all school busses should be fitted with external cameras, that are checked daily, anyone caught driving past the bus that has it stop signs showing get disqualified for six months. The second time they are caught, twelve months the third time five years. Our children's lives are at stake.
this school had this issue a while back
that principal was fired from bisd and then hired by a montessori school
You mean criminal issues.
Wow ese collar aaa.
Which is the real pic is it the fat one of the skinny one?
That's what 3 months with pay does to youuu
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