Judge dismisses one of two lawsuits against Tarrant district clerk
A judge on Tuesday dismissed one of two lawsuits aiming to permanently remove the Tarrant County district clerk for failure to meet necessary requirements.
The lawsuit, filed in the 348th Judicial District Court by Jose Portalatin and Lewis Brooks McKenzie, sought to oust District Clerk Tom Wilder “due to incompetency, official misconduct and other causes defined by law.”
The case alleges Wilder mishandled Portalatin’s custody case in a Tarrant County family court. The plaintiffs claim his acts denied access to justice, violated ministerial duties and undermined the public’s trust.
“The basis for this Petition arises from egregious, repeated, and willful acts of misconduct and gross incompetency by Defendant,” the lawsuit states, “specifically involving his obstruction of lawful court filings, tampering with court procedures, and retaliatory conduct toward litigants in Tarrant County Case No. 233-635708-18.”
A second similar lawsuit was filed by a Southlake resident claiming Wilder purged documents related to his ongoing family court case.
Wilder previously told the Star-Telegram that both lawsuits are “without merit, and we vigorously intend to defend them.”
McKenzie said he expected the case to be dismissed because “the courts are beyond corrupt.”
“It’s just getting started,” McKenzie said in a text. “This will go on until Tarrant is investigated for the systemic corruption. ”
The district clerk declined to comment regarding the first lawsuit being dismissed.