Hicks calls League City chief “a liar” after email outlines abuse of office allegations UPDATED WITH COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBER SEAN SAUNDERS AND THE LEAGUE CITY POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION. League City Council Member Justin Hicks said he questions Police Chief Cliff Woitena’s integrity and motives after the chief reported what he classified as concerning and possibly illegal behavior by the council member. In a scathing rebuke of the chief, Hicks called Woitena “a liar” and claims the chief’s email is, “so full of ad-lib and misrepresentation, that it has actually become a lie itself,” Hicks wrote in response to questions from i45NOW. “Yes, in this particular instance I am calling the chief a liar.” The council member’s complaints center on a report from Woitena to City Manager John Baumgartner. Cliff Woitena said Hicks called and asked that the chief provide the council member with copies of police reports about two calls Hicks’ estranged wife made to police in which “(The council member) was identified as the suspect.” The chief confirmed in the email that Deborah Hicks filed two harassment complaints against her husband the day after she filed for divorce. In the memo to the city manager, the chief claims Hicks sought to avoid filing open records requests for all reports related to his wife’s criminal complaints, claiming she would make up stories. Hicks then insisted that “In my capacity as Chief of Police, I disregard her inquiries and remain uninvolved in their personal matters,” the chief wrote. The chief also described that Hicks attempted to circumvent the process with the head of the police department records division. “Regarding the Cliff Woteina email, it took longer to read than time I actually spent interacting with him,” Hicks said. “It is so full of ad-lib and misrepresentation, that it has actually become a lie itself. Yes, in this particular instance I am calling the Chief a liar. The biggest lie told is that I demanded anything of him. Not true.” In an interview with The Daily News, Hicks claims that as a council member, he doesn’t need to submit a formal request for records, merely ask for them. That policy, however, is for records related to a council member’s duties as a governing body member. The records Hicks requested were about a police report - and now an investigation - in which the council member is a suspect. “It is disappointing that folks on our staff would conveniently write a statement that is 90% false like that, then tip off the media to go fetch it and score political points while making a spectacle of my private life,” Hicks wrote. “It is timely and convenient politics for (some), whom are taking full opportunity to kick me while I’m going through a rough patch in my personal life.” Woitena declined to respond to Hicks's allegations. League City Mayor Nick Long is standing by the chief and called out Hicks. “I do not think the chief fabricated his account of the events, and I do not believe it was politically motivated,” Long said. “It was completely inappropriate to request those records and even more inappropriate to ask for the investigation to be handled differently.” Hicks ally Council Member Courtney Chadwell is also standing behind the chief. “I have no reason to believe that Chief Woitena fabricated his account,” Chadwell said. “The chief has always conducted himself with professionalism in my experience. I also have no reason to question his integrity or to believe that his actions are politically motivated.” “And while Councilman Hicks deserves to have his side of the story told, I stand behind our police chief.” Council Member Chad Tressler, a Hicks political foe, called Hicks’ accusations “desperate.” “I believe our chief to have demonstrated the highest form of integrity in everything he has done for our police department his entire career,” Tressler said. “Any claim of political motivation is absolutely dishonest, disrespectful, and desperate.” Council member Tom Crews, also a Hicks political foe, is also standing behind the chief. “I have always known Chief Wiolta to act with integrity and professionalism, and I hold him in the highest regard,” Crews said. “Chief Woitena has my full support, and I deeply appreciate the way he handled this situation.” “i will state that I find the integrity of Chief Woitena to be one without question,” said Council Member Sean Saunders. “He is known for it and for the level of integrity that he holds not only himself but his department to. I have no reason to believe that Chief Woitena would use his position in any way to influence the politics of League City.” Council members Tommy Cones and Andy Mann did not respond to requests for comment. Hicks calling Woitena a liar, also didn’t set well with the League City Police Officers Association. “The members of LCPOA whole heartedly stand in support of our Chief, Chief Cliff Woitena,” union President Chris Skendziel wrote in an online post on the association’s Facebook page. “After working beside and under him for nearly 23 years, I find it laughable that anyone would call him a liar. Chief is honest, fair and transparent. He does not hold grudges. “His personal feelings will not affect his judgement or treatment of others. We are confident that Chief will always do the right thing for the department, the city and the citizens.” Long also voiced his support for the chief’s situation handling. “No one is above the law,” Long said. “Councilmen cannot interfere with police business, and it’s important that a separation is maintained. Without an independent, fair police force, people would lose faith in the institution.”

Posted by i45NOW TJ Aulds at 2025-02-27 18:52:04 UTC