By Juan Montoya
At least one local blogger has said that having Peña sitting in on board executive session getting updates on the district's strategy against the Cornejo-Lopez lawsuit gives Zayas an inside look into the BISD's defense.
"Minerva has access to BISD's entire defense against Elia and now she shares a lawyer with Elia," wrote blogger and disbarred lawyer Robert Wightman in his Brownsville Voice blog. "You cannot make this level of unethical conduct up."
Wightman goes even further. He says:
"BISD needs to demand Minerva turn over any and all information she has related to the (Elia Cornejo) Lopez lawsuit. They then need to bar her from having any access to any information in the future and from attending any executive sessions related to Elia Cornejo Lopez."
A part of the lawsuit filed in federal court says someone in the BISD inappropriately released a copy of the 13 grievances Cornejo-Lopez filed against district administrators and teachers.
Toward that end, numerous witnesses have been deposed by both sides, with the BISD board refusing to settle with the former judge.
That process was muddled during the Dr. Sylvia Atkinson trail when the defendant told prosecutors – which was later revealed in open court – that Cornejo-Lopez had offered her money to give other trustees to settle for $175,000, a claim fiercely disputed by Cornejo-Lopez who said she went to the FBI immediately after her meeting with Atkinson.
Cornejo-Lopez has not been charged with any crime by federal prosecutors and no open indictments have been filed against her.
Peña has sat in on the executive sessions with BISD attorneys representing the board in federal court in the Cornejo-Lopez lawsuit. Zayas just recently was named as the attorney of record for the former district judge.
Concurrently, Zayas was hired to represent Peña in district court where challenger Leal – who had won by one vote on Nov. 4, election day – claims that numerous illegal acts worked in Peña's favor to overcome the election day win and ended up losing to Peña in a recount by eight votes. She is asking the court to throw out the results claiming that the number of questionable votes are more than the eight-vote difference that came from the recount making officials unable to get a true count.
Leal is asking – through her attorney Gilbert Hinojosa – that the court order a new election.
There is still no hearing set in federal court on the Motion for Death Penalty Sanctions made by the BISD against Cornejo-Lopez which cited testimony in the Atkinson trial which mentioned the alleged bribes. Also, no visiting judge has yet been assigned to the election contest.
Is the blogger right? Will Peña be able to overcome the temptation to share some of the BISD strategy in the Cornejo-Lopez federal lawsuit and aid her legal representative through inside information?
Others say that the legal code of ethics prevents Zayas from asking his client on what was discussed in executive session on the case in federal court.
12 comments:
Battle of Parties this Friday on Rio Politics at 9:00pm where Cameron County Democratic Chair Jared Hokema battles Cameron County Republican Chair Morgan Graham as they debate what party is best for its citizens. Tune in Friday night at 9:00pm. Its refreshing to have a live show from Brownsville that brings in viable guests that want the best for Brownsville. ERASE-MO lost many viewers these past months because they found out how much of a fraud and liar he is. We all know he gained notoriety based on fear of the pandemic and his hatred toward BISD board of Trustees who ousted him for his questionable behavior. His negativity is not needed anymore and is back to being just a cheezme show where people can spread lies and gossip. Check out and search Rio Politics on facebook and/or Facebook
Ethics they don't need no stinkin' ethics la feria manda!!!
You quoting Blimp - your arch-enemy?
The world has turned. Groan.
Republicans do not want unity!
The vote on Trump's impeachment this week proves it. Democrats should use their power in Congress to stomp these infidels!
NO UNITY, INDEED!!!
El pendejo Paya Jerry McHale now writing about racist Charles Stillman, after writing pro-Trump stuff for months. Paya can't help himself.
Es uno de ellos, ese baboso!
Zayas is on very thin ethical ice. He must need the money bad to take this kind of risk with the Texas Bar Association.
Minerva has diarrhea of the mouth, so she tells everybody she needs on her side all the good stuff that goes on behind closed doors. She wants people to know that she is in charge and the God is behind her!
Esto Es puro pedo! Ya basta! The sore losers just don’t get it! Puro Trump follower. Que Trieste.
Zayas se vende bien facil. he is all about the benjamins only le vale lo de mas. if you dont believe me just ask around.
Its either rich gringos or poor mejicanos posting here look at the hours they post. Its all during working hours oooops where's my ssi,ss, lone star card?
Joey sounds like a female name pinche jotingo
Oh how funny to read the very stupid comments about impeachment, unity, etc... Yet, the democrats here in Cameron County are fighting each other because money goes into the wrong pockets. Then you have the "fugly pigs" in pena & corn hole fighting each other! zayas the biggest crook in CC at the front of the line! BISD, nothing but conflicts and crooks! Only in Cameron County!
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