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Economic board files restraining order against whistleblower
Defense admits client is a pain, but no wrongdoing
Stephanie Flemmons, sflemmons@acnpapers.com
The Plano Economic Development Board (PEDB) has filed a restraining order against one of the city’s most active and vocal citizens. Previously considered annoying and obnoxious, board members now say they are afraid of him.
“You just don’t use a comment about a grenade in this day and age unless you are planning on scaring someone,” said PEDB’s attorney David Ovard.
PEDB staff members Sally Bane, executive director, and Linda Thomason, administrative assistant, stated in a written affidavit that on Aug. 20 Lagos became agitated when he was asked to complete an open records request in a proper manner. Court records state Lagos accused Bane of attempting to withhold public information he was entitled to.
Bane explained in the affidavit that Lagos took it upon himself to call Mayor Dyer to explain. Bane believes during the phone conversation Lagos told Dyer there was a “grenade about to go off in the economic development board room,” and “they would not like his surprises.”
“Two hours later four Plano police officers showed up at his house looking for explosive devices, which he did not have,” said powerhouse defense attorney Howard Shapiro. “He told the mayor that the information being withheld from him if made public would be like a grenade going off in the boardroom, and we don’t need surprises like that. He did not say there is a grenade in the boardroom.”
The district attorney’s office was presented with information about the alleged harassment and filed a grand jury proceeding to have a felony criminal charge filed against Lagos. Shapiro said Lagos received a letter from the district court explaining they were going to review the charge of false reporting of an explosive device.
The temporary restraining order prohibits Lagos from coming within 500 feet of the PEDB’s office, staff and members of the board as well as making telephone calls.
“(The restraining order) is a waste of taxpayers’ money,” Lagos said. “They have nothing better to do than use public money the wrong way.”
Ovard said Dyer was not present at the time Lagos was threatening staff members, and said he did not realize the severity of the comment until later.
“Lagos has filed numerous open records (requests), but people that know him over the last year have seen his behavior has gotten worse and worse,” Ovard said. “He yells at them and harasses them. He gets up in the receptionist’s face and shakes his finger with anger.”
Shapiro doesn’t deny that Lagos revels in his adversarial role.
“Jack is a pain to the economic development board,” Shapiro said. “He makes it difficult to do their job, and he is constantly interfering with their work. But, there is nothing that says you can’t do that. They are claiming they need a restraining order and have heightened security because of Jack, but he has done nothing illegal. He doesn’t follow them to their cars and shake his fist at them. This is blown completely out of proportion.”
Ovard disagrees. He says PEDB members are scared for their safety, and for the first time they have put security measures in place including escape routes and cameras because of Lagos’ repeatedly hostile behavior.
Ovard estimates Lagos has submitted about 140 open records requests to PEDB staff in a two-year period.
“He submits redundant requests, and a lot of times never picks them up,” Ovard said. “All the work they put in is pointless. When he does show up he makes it impossible for them to do their jobs. I can’t explain it. He loses his temper. He doesn’t want to resolve anything. He only wants to create more problems.”
Lagos said the order makes no indication he can’t send an e-mail or submit open records requests, but as a precautionary measure he said he will not make any request until a judge has an opportunity to rule.
“This is a violation of my civil rights,” Lagos said. “They are prohibiting me from exercising my rights.”
Bane and Dyer both declined to comment and referred all questions to Ovard.
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