A federal magistrate judge has recommended denying a motion to dismiss filed by former Jeff Davis County employee Lisa Dennison in a civil rights lawsuit brought by journalist and publisher David Flash, allowing claims against her to proceed at this stage of the litigation.
In a report and recommendation filed June 17, U.S. Magistrate Judge David B. Fannin recommended that the court deny Dennison’s motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. The recommendation is not a final ruling but will be reviewed by U.S. District Judge David Counts, who will make the ultimate decision on whether to adopt, modify or reject the recommendation.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, alleges a years-long campaign by Jeff Davis County officials and employees to retaliate against Flash for his journalism and reporting on county government. The complaint names Jeff Davis County, County Judge Curtis Evans, Sheriff Victor Lopez, County Attorney Glen Eisen, Justice of the Peace Mary Ann Luedecke, Chief Deputy Adriana Ruiloba, deputies Joseph Giesbrecht and King Merritt, and former county employee Lisa Dennison as defendants.
According to the complaint, Dennison is accused of improperly accessing and disclosing confidential law enforcement information, including allegedly viewing body camera footage and accessing sealed state records. The lawsuit further alleges that Dennison disclosed information about Flash on multiple occasions and authored a written statement that Flash claims was defamatory. Dennison has denied liability and sought dismissal of the claims against her.
Flash’s lawsuit alleges violations of the First, Fourth, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, including claims of retaliation against protected speech, false arrest, excessive force, malicious prosecution, civil rights conspiracy and municipal liability. The complaint also includes Texas state-law claims for defamation, false imprisonment, assault and battery, and abuse of process. Flash seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees and injunctive relief.
The recommendation marks the latest development in a case stemming from disputes between Flash and Jeff Davis County officials that began in 2023 and escalated through multiple investigations, criminal charges and Flash’s June 2025 arrest while photographing a county commissioners court meeting. All criminal charges referenced in the lawsuit were ultimately dismissed, according to court filings.
Under federal procedure, parties may file objections to the magistrate judge’s recommendation before the district court issues a final ruling.
