Eta denies the allegations. It is illegal to life under oath in Texas. But it is also against the law for an employer to retaliate or discriminate against a person who testifies, assists or participates in any manner of investigation, proceeding or hearing. The bill under consideration would have given sheriffs of counties of 500,000 residents and above the right to appeal civil service commission decisions in district court. Commissions hear personnel grievances and disciplinary matters within sheriff's departments.
Employees can appeal the sheriff's decisions in court.
The bill would have allowed the court to overturn commission rulings that go against a sheriff's decision to fire, demote or suspend an employee. Eta contends that his testimony is protected free speech under federal and state laws, and the investigation is further evidence of the disparity between how the department treats blacks compared to other employees. Officials from other unions said they are not under investigation for their testimony. Don't disagree with anything we want to do despite the fact it may hurt deputies. The employee groups say they oppose the bill because it would give Thomas another way to delay putting an employee back to work.