In a move raising concerns about government transparency and potential corruption, Jeff Davis County has spent over $14,000 in taxpayer money to prevent the release of public records related to Big Bend Times publisher David Flash. Despite an offer from Flash to waive his right to sue if the documents were released, county officials rejected the offer, opting instead to pour public funds into legal fees, leaving many to question what the county is so determined to hide.
The public records in question, over 500 pages, were generated during seven criminal investigations targeting Flash over the past year. These investigations, according to Flash, were baseless and aimed at discouraging his journalistic work. “This past year, I have been subjected to an unprecedented level of scrutiny, with over 500 pages spanning seven criminal investigations directed against me—despite having committed no wrongdoing,” Flash stated. He argued that the county’s efforts represent a “significant misallocation of county resources” that appear intended to intimidate him and shield the county’s actions from public view.
The situation became more concerning when Flash made an unprecedented offer in an effort to avoid further legal battles. He proposed that if the county released the documents, he would sign away his right to sue, essentially removing any legal liability for the county. “If the county releases the withheld documents, I will release and hold them harmless from any further claims associated with these documents,” Flash explained. However, Jeff Davis County officials rejected this proposal, continuing instead to spend taxpayer money on legal fees to keep the records sealed.
Adding irony to the situation, the records were compiled at public expense, meaning the taxpayers have effectively paid for work they are not allowed to see. Flash emphasized this contradiction in his remarks: “They did work we paid for, seemingly to target and bully a person, and now they want to hide it from the public.” The refusal to release the records, despite Flash’s offer, makes clear that the ongoing legal battle is not about protecting the county from lawsuits, but about hiding something from the very public that funded the investigations.
The county has already spent $14,012.55 in legal fees, a sum nearly triple the monthly salary of the county attorney, to hire the Austin-based law firm Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP. Additionally, Jeff Davis County has now engaged another law firm from El Paso, specializing in tort defense, but no records have been released regarding the costs of this new legal engagement. This lack of transparency only fuels speculation that the county is more focused on protecting its own officials than ensuring accountability.
County Attorney Glen Eisen has been notably tight-lipped in response to the ongoing records request, providing only a single email when asked to disclose information. Meanwhile, Justice of the Peace Mary Ann Luedecke claimed she had no relevant information to provide, a stance that stands in stark contrast to the county’s extensive legal efforts to block access to other documents.
The fact that the county rejected Flash’s offer to avoid a lawsuit, which would have come at no cost to the county, has led to growing frustration among residents. “They’re spending public money to hide public records from the people who paid for them. It’s hard not to see this as a cover-up,” one local resident said after learning about the county’s legal fees.
The Big Bend Times remains committed to exposing the truth and continuing its investigation into what Jeff Davis County is working so hard to conceal. With concerns mounting about corruption and misuse of power, this issue has broader implications for government transparency and the public’s right to know. As this legal battle unfolds, questions about how public money is being spent—and what is being hidden—remain unanswered.
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