HOUSTON – Paul H. LaValle of the Law Offices of Paul Houston LaValle & Associates, P.C. in Texas City has filed a $2 million federal lawsuit against the Texas Department of Family Services and Commissioner Hank Whitman for two Clear Lake women who assert that they were wrongfully investigated by the defendants, recent Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas records show.
Deborah Lordon and Judith Rodgers explain in the 12-page suit filed on Jan. 28 that they became the focus of the TDFS after an unrelated female who lived with them at Lordon’s residence falsely reported them for child abuse in retaliation for being kicked out for alleged theft.
According to the original petition, the respondent agency sent representatives to the home who discovered that Rodgers’ two minor children were well provided for with clean beds, closets full of clothing, and more than $1,000 worth of food. The plaintiffs add that they were determined to be sober though the TDFS refused to acknowledge that Lordon was not on illegal but prescription drugs.
“Due to the actions of the defendants, the plaintiffs have had their U.S. Constitutional rights violated suffered emotional trauma, great inconvenience and incurred reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees to fight the baseless charges,” court documents say.
The ex-housemate is not a party in the litigation.
A jury trial is requested.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case No. 4:19-CV-0296