Email Probe - Austin/Round Rock/San Marcos - YNN

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Online communication stains council reputation

City Documents

Full documents: Since January 2011, the Austin City Council has released thousands of pages of emails, text messages and agenda notes under the pressure of a civil lawsuit and an investigation by the county attorney. YNN has a full archive of those documents, and you can read them right here.

Online communication stains council reputation

County attorney dismisses civil complaint

The Travis County Attorney’s Office was unable to address allegations filed in a civil complaint by The Austin Bulldog. No action will be taken against the city.

Updated 04/22/2011 08:27 PM

More city emails emerge as county attorney's deadline approaches

Over 1,000 more emails were released to the public by the Austin City Council Thursday. The flood of email exchanges between city leaders comes just 24 hours before the council has to prove to the county attorney that they are in compliance with state public records law.

Updated 04/22/2011 09:42 AM

Leffingwell, council members respond to Bulldog lawsuit

Monday, all six members of Austin City Council and Mayor Lee Leffingwell responded to a lawsuit filed by The Austin Bulldog that accuses city leaders of violating the Texas Public Information Act.

04/11/2011 05:45 PM

Council passes measure aimed at transparency

Email Probe

In what appears to be a symbol of a more transparent Austin City Council, Mayor Lee Leffingwell and council members passed a resolution requiring them to share private emails regarding city business.

Council passes measure aimed at transparency

Updated 04/08/2011 08:57 AM

Activist complaint leads to city council controversy

Email Probe

It’s been nearly two months since Austinite Brian Rodgers accused the Austin City Council of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act. Now, that complaint has opened the flood gates to dozens of open records requests and a district court lawsuit that has put city hall in a heated spotlight.

Activist complaint leads to city council controversy

04/06/2011 09:19 AM

Subpoenas, search warrants could hit city hall

Email Probe

The email controversy haunting the Austin City Council could get more “aggressive,” according to Travis County District Attorney David Escamilla. Defense attorneys representing the mayor and several council members say subpoenas and search warrants could be issued to the city leaders soon.

Subpoenas, search warrants could hit city hall

03/31/2011 04:16 PM

Council members hire attorneys over email controversy

Email Probe

YNN learned Wednesday that Mayor Lee Leffingwell and several other Austin City Council members have hired private criminal defense attorneys to provide counsel on the recent email controversy plauging the city officials. Council members Bill Spelman and Laura Morrison also released several emails from their private accounts Wednesday regarding city business.

Council members hire attorneys over email controversy

Updated 03/31/2011 08:05 AM

Council members consider releasing personal emails

Email Probe

After a special meeting Tuesday, including a private executive session, council members decided to further publicly discuss passing an ordinance or statute that would allow city officials to voluntarily release emails from their private accounts if they discuss city business.

Council members consider releasing personal emails

Updated 03/29/2011 12:34 PM

Judge rules to uphold Texas Open Meetings Act

Email Probe

A federal district judge has ruled to uphold the Texas Open Meetings Act, after more than a dozen city officials filed a lawsuit challenging the law’s constitutionality.

Judge rules to uphold Texas Open Meetings Act

03/25/2011 07:35 PM

Mayor’s office releases additional emails

Email Probe

City officials released 75 emails Friday that they say were excluded from an initial public information request for several reasons having to do with email client technicalities.

Mayor’s office releases additional emails

Updated 03/19/2011 09:11 PM

Martinez talks city e-mails on community radio show

Email Probe

Mayor Pro Tem and Austin City Council Member Mike Martinez was put in the political hot seat Wednesday as he was questioned about the controversy surrounding internal city e-mails that were recently made public.

Martinez talks city e-mails on community radio show

Updated 03/17/2011 09:02 AM

CapMetro seeks legal help on open records request

Email Probe

The Austin City Council went into executive session Thursday to talk about legal issues relating to allegations that the council violated the state’s Open Meetings Act. Also, city leaders on the board for Capital Metro have sought legal advice on how to handle the county attorney’s request for records of communication between the board and city council.

CapMetro seeks legal help on open records request

03/10/2011 12:43 PM

E-mail controversy seeps into council elections

Email Probe

Controversy surrounding internal e-mail exchanges between Austin City Council members have begun to take shape on incumbents and candidates alike as election season begins. Despite the negative attention on city hall, Council Member Laura Morrison says she is focused on the May 12 election.