Introducing The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News, your source for engaging and informative Texas news. Our publication focuses on delivering accurate and impactful stories that matter to you, with a primary emphasis on South Texas, including Hays, Bexar, Nueces, Webb, Cameron, and Hidalgo counties. Stay informed about pressing issues and gain a deeper understanding of your government. With a commitment to transparency and accountability, trust us to provide reliable information that holds those in power accountable.
Former Valley International Airport Police Chief Osborne’s claims of violation of the Texas Whistleblower Act are challenged due to lack of evidence; his termination was primarily attributed to dishonesty and misconduct.
Valley International Airport Claims Bad Faith by Police Chief
The Valley International Airport (VIA) has recently filed a plea to jurisdiction in response to claims made by John David Osborne Jr. regarding his termination from his position as the former police chief of VIA. Osborne argues that his termination violated the Texas Whistleblower Act, as he reported potential violations of the law to various individuals.
While Osborne did communicate with several supervisors about the alleged violations, the only law enforcement authority he spoke to was Cameron County District Attorney Chief Investigator George Delauney. It is important to note that neither Osborne nor Delauney could identify any actual violation of the law that had taken place. Both individuals acknowledged that Osborne did not report an actual violation to Delauney or any other person.
Considering Osborne’s law enforcement background, it is reasonable to expect that he would have been aware that his statements did not specifically identify an actual violation of the law. As a result, any reports he claims to have made may not be considered good faith reports of violations under the Whistleblower Act.
However, Osborne’s termination was primarily the result of his alleged dishonesty, misconduct, and behavior that undermined the proper order, discipline, and morale of Airport Services. Specific incidents included being found in a state of undress with the 19-year-old daughter of a City Commissioner without permission, during working hours and while misleading a fellow employee about his whereabouts. Additionally, it was discovered that Osborne had spent significant time on the phone with the 19-year-old during confidential security meetings and working hours, which violated VIA policies.
Crucially, Osborne has presented no evidence to establish that he was terminated for any reason other than the ones mentioned above. Due to the lack of evidence supporting a waiver of the City’s immunity from lawsuit under the Whistleblower Act, it is appropriate to dismiss Osborne’s claim.
Please note that the information provided above is based on the plea to jurisdiction filed by The Valley International Airport and should not be considered as a final judgment in this matter.
The Valley International Airport’s Summary of Facts
In their plea to jurisdiction, The Valley International Airport (VIA) presents the background of the case as follows:
John David Osborne Jr., the former police chief of VIA, alleges that he reported a questionable decision related to a contract with Sun Valley Aviation that was being pushed on the VIA board. He claims to have reported this activity to Harlingen City Commissioner Richard Uribe, Cameron County District Attorney Investigator George Delauney, and the FBI. However, Osborne does not provide details of the alleged illegal activity or any specific law or statute that was violated.
Osborne also asserts that he provided information to Uribe about the ties between former Mayor Chris Boswell and South Texas Emergency Care (STEC), as well as the connections of Texas Regional Bank President and VIA Board Member Michael Scaife, VIA Board Member Robert Farris, and VIA Board Member Nick Consiglio to Sun Valley Aviation. However, he does not explain how this information establishes a violation of law by a City employee.
It is important to note that Osborne, at least 50 years old and married at the time, agrees that he was terminated for dishonesty, misconduct, and bringing discredit to the Airport. These alleged violations include incidents such as being found in a state of undress with Uribe’s 19-year-old daughter during working hours, misleading a fellow employee about his whereabouts, and spending a significant amount of time on the phone with her during confidential security meetings and working hours, in violation of VIA policies.
Osborne’s plea to establish a violation of the Texas Whistleblower Act is questioned by VIA since neither he nor Delauney could identify any actual violation of the law that had taken place. The lack of evidence supporting a waiver of the City’s immunity from lawsuit under the Whistleblower Act supports the dismissal of Osborne’s claim.
It is important to remember that the information provided above is based on the plea to jurisdiction filed by The Valley International Airport and is subject to further legal proceedings.
Richard Uribe’s Affidavit: A Detailed Account of an Incident
Richard Uribe, a prior Harlingen Commissioner, has submitted a compelling affidavit shedding light on a concerning incident. The affidavit, dated October 30, 2023, provides a detailed account of an encounter that occurred at Uribe’s home involving Osborne and Uribe’s 19-year-old daughter Kaitlyn.
According to Uribe’s affidavit, on the morning of October 29, 2021, while attending a VIA Board Meeting, he had been attempting to contact Osborne via text messages without receiving any response. The meeting concluded earlier than expected, prompting Uribe to make a stop at his home. As he arrived, Uribe noticed Osborne’s truck parked on the side of his house, facing the wrong direction.
Upon entering his garage, Uribe became aware of Osborne hastily retrieving his clothes and exiting through the front door. During this time, Uribe observed his daughter, Kaitlyn, hastily rushing from the living room to her bedroom, clad only in her panties with the rest of her body exposed.
Uribe knocked on Kaitlyn’s door, but received no response initially. Eventually, Kaitlyn emerged from her room and informed Uribe that Osborne had been requesting his keys, claiming he had left them inside the house. Despite the intense emotions Uribe experienced in that moment, he managed to restrain himself.
A few minutes later, Uribe’s son arrived home, and Uribe entrusted him with the task of returning Osborne’s keys. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Uribe promptly contacted his IT assistant, Roger Hernandez, to retrieve video recordings from the in-home camera system. These recordings were later compiled and provided as evidence, offering a visual account of the events that unfolded.
Uribe has attached an exhibit to his affidavit, labeled as Exhibit D-1, which contains true and correct copies of the video recordings retrieved from his home camera system on October 29, 2021. It is important to note that the timestamp reflected in the video recordings might be an hour later than the actual time, as the camera’s timestamp was not adjusted for daylight savings time. Additionally, Uribe has also included Exhibits D-2 to D-9, which consist of video stills taken from the video recordings, illustrating relevant moments.
To supplement his affidavit, Uribe provides Exhibit D-10, a true and correct copy of Kaitlyn’s cell phone call log, obtained from their cell phone provider Verizon, capturing the calls made and received on her phone from October 5 to 29, 2021. Additionally, Exhibit D-11 offers another insight into Kaitlyn’s cell phone call log, covering the period from October 27 to 29, 2021, sourced from Verizon’s website.
Uribe’s affidavit and the attached exhibits paint a troubling picture of the incident that occurred at his home and raise important questions regarding Osborne’s conduct. As this case continues to unfold, it remains essential to review and analyze the evidence in order to ascertain the truth.
Please be aware that the information provided in this part of the publishing is based on Richard Uribe’s affidavit and should not be considered a final judgment or conclusive evidence in the ongoing legal proceedings.
This information is based on the affidavit submitted by Richard Uribe and is subject to further legal review and proceedings.
Summary
The Valley International Airport (VIA) has responded to former Police Chief John David Osborne Jr.’s claims of violation of the Texas Whistleblower Act. Osborne alleges that his termination was due to reporting potential violations of the law.
However, the airport argues that Osborne’s termination was primarily attributed to dishonesty, misconduct, and behavior that undermined the proper order and discipline. Specific incidents include inappropriate involvement with a 19-year-old during working hours, misleading a fellow employee, and violating VIA policies.
The lack of evidence supporting a violation of the Whistleblower Act suggests that Osborne’s claim should be dismissed. Richard Uribe, a former Harlingen Commissioner, has provided an affidavit detailing an incident involving Osborne and Uribe’s daughter, further raising questions about his conduct.
It is important to note that the information provided is based on the plea to jurisdiction filed by VIA and Uribe’s affidavit, and should not be considered a final judgment or conclusive evidence in the ongoing legal proceedings.
Disclaimer
The information provided in the above content is derived from various sources, including the plea to jurisdiction filed by The Valley International Airport, Richard Uribe’s affidavit, and accompanying exhibits. It is important to note that the content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a final judgment or conclusive evidence in the ongoing legal proceedings.
The accuracy, completeness, and reliability of the information cannot be guaranteed. Legal cases involve complex factors, and new evidence or developments may emerge that could impact the outcome. Readers are advised to consult legal professionals or follow official statements and updates from authorized sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the case.
The content provided does not constitute legal advice and is for educational purposes only.. Each individual case is unique, and specific legal advice should be sought from qualified professionals based on the specific circumstances of your situation.
The publishing of this content does not imply endorsement or confirmation of any claims made by the parties involved. The intention is to provide a summary of publicly available information to promote a better understanding of the case.
Any views or opinions expressed in the above content are those of the respective parties and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the writer or the publisher.
A Couple of Our Other Reads
You may be interested in our publishing on two State Board of Pharmacy officers resigning to avoid termination.
Or you may find our publishing about a TABC officer resigning to avoid termination, of interest.
Follow Us on Social Media
If you are interested in staying updated on matters about your government in Texas and other important stories, trust The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News to provide reliable information that matters to you. You can follow us on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, Reddit, YouTube, Tumblr, and LinkedIn to stay connected and informed.
FACEBOOK: TheHawksEyeNews
INSTAGRAM: Hawk_s_Eye_C_and_N
X: TheHawksEyeNews
REDDIT: TheHawksEyeCN
YOUTUBE: The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News
TUMBLR: The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News
LINKEDIN: The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News