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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Klein harassment suit against Beaumont dismissed

At the direction of a higher court, a local judge has dismissed a suit alleging Beaumont police officers harassed process servers from Klein Investigations & Consulting.

As previously reported, Klein Investigations, which is owned by political commentator and local blogger Philip Klein, filed suit against the city on March 14, 2011, in Jefferson County District Court.

Court records show on Feb. 9 the Ninth Court of Appeals reversed 60th District Judge Gary Sanderson's decision not to grant the city of Beaumont's plea to the jurisdiction, remanding the case back to the trial court with instructions to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction.

On May 22 the city filed a motion to dismiss per court order, court papers say.

Judge Sanderson granted the motion on June 15, also ordering that city recover $319.50 from Klein for court costs.

Klein Investigations, in addition to investigative work, deals in civil process serving, dishing out lawsuits and subpoenas to area residents.

In his suit, Klein alleged that Beaumont Police Department officers were accusing his process servers of criminal trespass and stalking and were trying to impose penal sanctions upon a lawful business within the state of Texas.

"The criminal trespass warning demonstrates that there is an actual case or controversy that can be subjected to declaratory judgment," the suit states.

On top of declaratory judgment, Klein Investigations was seeking an award of court costs.

Beaumont attorney John Morgan represents Klein Investigations.

Assistant City Attorney Sharae Bassett represents the city.

Case No. B189-589

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