The fallout from the “38 Comal” Facebook group defamation lawsuit has now reached into county law enforcement, where a deputy has been formally disciplined for discussing the county auditor while on duty. But the case has sparked a larger debate: are Sheriff’s Office policies too restrictive — and are they being enforced consistently?
The Facebook Group Lawsuit
In November 2024, Comal County Auditor Jessie Rahe filed a defamation lawsuit against Scott Moon over online comments made about her in the “38 Comal” Facebook group. As county auditor, Rahe holds one of the most influential fiscal oversight roles in local government, charged with scrutinizing how tax dollars are spent.
That lawsuit, still pending in district court, underscored how small-town disputes over social media can spill into government life. What was less clear at the time, however, was how those tensions would extend into the Sheriff’s Office itself.
The Disciplinary Action
Newly released disciplinary records reveal that on January 10, 2025, Deputy Kathleen Reyna, a 17-year veteran peace officer, and another deputy discussed Rahe and the lawsuit while assigned to the county annex security checkpoint.
Rahe later filed a complaint, and the Sheriff’s Office launched an internal investigation. A February 18 memorandum concluded that Reyna violated agency policy prohibiting gossip and unprofessional remarks. The allegations were classified as sustained, and Reyna received:
- One-day suspension without pay (served February 20, 2025)
- Six months’ probation, running through August 18, 2025
Despite the sanction, state licensing records show Reyna remains an active peace officer with the Sheriff’s Office, where she has served since 2004 .
What About the Other Deputy?
The other deputy reportedly involved in the conversation remains a question mark. The Comal County District Attorney has requested an opinion from the Texas Attorney General on whether those disciplinary records must be released. Until then, the public does not know whether that deputy faced similar punishment — or any at all.
This gap in transparency has fueled concern that the Sheriff’s Office enforces its rules inconsistently.
A Restrictive Policy, or Uneven Enforcement?
The Sheriff’s Office’s General Manual is strict: deputies are prohibited from gossiping, disparaging coworkers or county officials, or creating the appearance of a hostile work environment. On its face, the rule is meant to ensure professionalism and avoid workplace disputes bleeding into public duties.
But this case raises two competing questions:
- Is the policy itself too restrictive? A casual comment about a high-profile lawsuit — already a matter of public record — led to formal discipline and probation. Critics argue that such standards punish even routine conversations and chill free expression within the workplace.
- Or is the problem uneven enforcement? When the complainant is a powerful county official — in this case, the county auditor — discipline appears swift and formalized. In other cases, sanctions may be lighter, slower, or shielded from public view.
Larger Implications
The Reyna case illustrates how the Facebook group lawsuit has spilled far beyond social media. What began as a civil defamation suit has now touched county law enforcement, raising fresh concerns about accountability, transparency, and whether discipline in Comal County depends more on what was said or who was involved.
For now, Deputy Reyna continues serving her probation, Auditor Rahe presses forward with her lawsuit, and the Attorney General must decide whether the remaining records will see the light of day.
At stake is not just the reputation of a deputy — but the credibility of how discipline is applied across the Sheriff’s Office.
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