Corpus Christi Mayor suspended 30 days, reprimanded for conduct ‘beneath’ office

Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo is suspended for 30 days and reprimanded for conduct described as beneath the dignity of the mayor’s office.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo has been suspended from office for 30 days and formally reprimanded following a four-day hearing over a petition seeking her removal.

The council’s decision Friday does not remove Guajardo from office.

Instead, she will serve a 30-day suspension, with the penalties running concurrently, and receive a formal reprimand for conduct described as beneath the dignity of the mayor’s office.

During a special City Council meeting Friday, the council formally voted to reprimand Guajardo and suspend her from office for 30 days. Under Article II, Section 5 of the Corpus Christi City Charter, District 4 Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Kaylynn Paxson will assume the responsibilities of the mayor during the suspension.

The ruling comes after days of testimony and deliberation surrounding the petition against Guajardo. The city says municipal services, emergency operations and daily city business will continue without interruption during the suspension.

EXCLUSIVE: Mayor Paulette Guajardo shares reaction following conclusion of removal hearing

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Council members react to final hearing

3NEWS reporter Natalia Osuna was at City Hall throughout the hearing and spoke with council members following the final decision. During the fourth and final day, a key issue was whether council members could serve as both judges and witnesses in the proceedings. Mayor Guajardo’s attorney, John Flood, attempted to call Councilmember Sylvia Campos and Councilmember Gil Hernandez to the witness stand, but the petitioners’ attorney objected. The council sustained the objection, and neither council member testified.

Hernandez said he believed the evidence presented during the hearing was enough to support the charges against Guajardo.

“I tried to keep an open mind until I saw it and was able to hear it, and there was no doubt in my mind that she was guilty and all these charges, and there was no other way to see it for me,” Hernandez said.

Campos said council members had differing opinions on whether the evidence warranted removal.

“Some council members felt that there was enough for removal, others didn’t,” Campos said. “Ultimately, I think it is what was ultimately decided — a 30-day suspension and a reprimand.”

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Councilman Mark Scott reacts after hearing

Following the conclusion of the four-day hearing, 3NEWS reporter Ryan Hopper spoke with Councilman Mark Scott, who was the only council member to support Guajardo on every vote. Scott said he did not believe the petitioners met the standard required for any of the penalties brought against the mayor.

“So personally I didn’t think the petitioners met the standard necessary to remove or reprimand or suspend, so I voted my conscience,” Scott said. “I respect the other council members’ position.”

Scott said he was glad the council did not remove Guajardo from office, but believes the matter may not be finished.

“I think the good news in all of this is we didn’t remove the mayor. I think it’s sad that we suspended her. I also don’t think it’s over yet,” Scott said.

Scott also raised the possibility of future litigation, saying he has remained concerned about the “juror witness issue” and believes it still needs to be resolved.

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Petitioner Ajit David reacts to council’s decision

Ajit David, one of the petitioners who sought Guajardo’s removal, also reacted to Friday’s decision. David said the council’s action was a condemnation of Guajardo’s conduct and indicated he expects additional allegations to come forward.

“Our ‘full time’ Mayor was just suspended as Mayor (out of office), and reprimanded for her conduct beneath the status of the office of Mayor,” David said.

David also characterized the council’s decision as a rejection of what he called fraud and corruption.

“The City Council’s verdict adamantly proclaims: ‘We, the City’s leadership, hereby denounce the Mayor’s fraud and corruption.’”

David said he believes the mayor was found responsible for aiding what he described as $2 million in taxpayer fraud, perjury and violating her confidentiality agreement.

“More corruption soon to be revealed,” David said.

3NEWS will continue to provide updates on the mayor’s suspension and the next steps following Friday’s ruling.

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