Judge grants Galveston police sergeant TRO to stop release of records

GALVESTON - A Galveston police sergeant recently acquired a temporary restraining order against the city of Galveston, recent court documents show. 

Galveston County 122nd District Court Judge John Ellisor granted Gilbert Gomez's TRO request Sept. 28, barring the city from committing "invasion of privacy."

Gomez is suing the city on allegations the police department compelled him to release records pertaining to his private business or face termination for insubordination.

Gomez says he is being asked to produce his 2011 tax returns, fee schedules for services, detailed cell phone records, all documents related to the serving of civil process for the current year and "any other business related documentation that should be considered" for the defendant's investigation.

The original petition, filed the same day as when the TRO was issued, claims the city sought records that "far exceed any legitimate government interest that would justify the intrusion into the plaintiff's privacy."

"The defendant's 'order’ violates the plaintiff's right not to disclose personal matters, exceeds any legitimate governmental interest and further restricts the plaintiff's ability to operate his business," it states.

A hearing to discuss the complainant's application for a temporary injunction is scheduled for Oct. 11, at 2 p.m. with the TRO set to expire the next day.

Attorney Gregory B. Cagle with Cagle & McCumber in League City is representing Gomez.

Case No. 12-cv-2100