Former Montgomery police chief alleges city fired him for refusing to commit criminal acts

HOUSTON - Asserting he was wrongfully terminated, a former police chief of the city of Montgomery has taken the latter to court.

Royce Goodson sued the city, Mayor John Fox and City Administrator William J. "Bill" Kotlan in Montgomery County District Court on July 26.

The litigation was removed to the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas on Sept. 11.

Goodson was hired to clean the police department "that had suffered from years of corruption, dirty politics, self-dealing and in-fighting."

The suit alleges that though the plaintiff "successfully cleaned up" the department, the defendants fired him because he refused to commit criminal acts Fox and Kotlan insisted he commit, specifically discipline a female police officer for performing her job function "zealously" as well as another officer for preparing a report "in the manner which his job duties required."

According to the plaintiff, he would have committed a felony had he followed the respondents' orders.

He insists Fox and Kotlan forced him to resign to which he refused.

A city council meeting was held last May 28 in which Goodson's eventual removal as chief was discussed.

Goodson says the defendants violated the Texas Open Meetings Act "in at least three respects."

The city council voted to sack the complainant, who ultimately argues that the respondents proceeded to commit the acts with which he previously raised issue.

A jury trial is requested.

Attorney Eric Yollick of Magnolia is representing Goodson.

Case No. 4:13-CV-2671