Conroe City Sec Sues Mayor, City for Whistleblower Retaliation

Conroe, TX – A significant legal battle is brewing in Conroe as former City Secretary Soco Gorjon has filed a whistleblower and wrongful termination lawsuit against the city, Mayor Jody Czajkoski, and several city council members, alleging she was fired in retaliation for exposing purported illegal activities.

The lawsuit, filed on May 15th in Montgomery County District Court, names Mayor Czajkoski along with Councilmen Harry Hardman, Todd Yancy, Curt Maddux, and Fred “Duke” Coon as defendants. Gorjon, who was hired in July 2022 and served just over a year in her role, is seeking over $1 million in damages, including lost wages, benefits, and emotional distress.

According to the lawsuit, Gorjon’s troubles began in May 2023 when she claims Mayor Czajkoski pushed for an election that lacked city council approval, which Gorjon reportedly advised was illegal. The nature of this proposed election was not immediately specified in public comments but is understood to have been an unauthorized special election.

Further escalating tensions, Gorjon alleges that in August 2023, Mayor Czajkoski attempted to illegally remove Councilman Hardman from a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) board and Councilman Coon from the Conroe Industrial Development Corporation (CIDC) Board. Both TIRZ and CIDC boards play crucial roles in local economic development and urban reinvestment. Gorjon claims she again advised against these moves, citing legal impediments to such removals.

Earlier in 2023, Gorjon reportedly also brought to Czajkoski’s attention campaign finance issues related to his wife’s donations to other political candidates while he served as mayor, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest or campaign finance regulations.

Gorjon’s termination notice was issued in August 2023, shortly after these alleged incidents. The city council voted 4-1 to fire her, with Councilman Thomas casting the sole dissenting vote.

The City of Conroe, through its attorney Mike O’Day, has stated its intent to vigorously defend against the lawsuit. O’Day asserts that Gorjon was an “at-will” employee and was terminated for “legitimate, non-discriminatory, and non-retaliatory reasons.” In Texas, “at-will” employment generally means an employer can terminate an employee for any reason, or no reason, as long as it’s not an illegal reason, such as retaliation for whistleblowing or discrimination.

Neither Mayor Czajkoski nor Councilman Hardman have publicly commented on the lawsuit, with Hardman citing active litigation as the reason for his silence. Gorjon’s attorney, Wade Brady, described the suit as a “straightforward whistleblower claim,” asserting that his client was punished for performing her duties and upholding the law.

The City Secretary in Conroe typically serves as the city’s official records keeper, custodian of the city seal, election administrator, and ensures compliance with state and local laws in the administrative functions of the city council. The lawsuit highlights the critical role of this position in maintaining governmental transparency and legality.

This lawsuit marks a significant challenge to Conroe’s city administration and is expected to bring heightened scrutiny to the inner workings of the city government. The legal proceedings will now move through discovery, with both sides preparing their cases for what promises to be a contentious legal battle in Montgomery County.