A third lawsuit has been filed against Magnolia Mayor Matthew “Doc” Dantzer in connection to allegations that he assaulted the city secretary in October at a Fort Worth hotel.
Dantzer was arrested on April 11 and charged with assault on a pregnant person, a third-degree felony, and official oppression, a Class A misdemeanor. The case will be prosecuted by the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office.
SHOW BAN: The Woodlands Township seeks resident input on banning sexually oriented shows from public parks
Article continues below this ad
He is currently out on bond.
The new lawsuit was filed Tuesday in the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, on behalf of former city administrator Christopher Whittaker, and names the city and Dantzer in their official and personal capacities.
Whittaker’s lawsuit comes on the heels of two others filed March 17 on behalf of former Human Resources Director Kristy Powell, and April 8 on behalf of City Secretary Christian Gable. Both are claiming retaliation and harassment in connection with the alleged assault in October.
Article continues below this ad
STOLEN VEHICLES: Authorities investigate Missouri City business in possession of stolen vehicles and parts
Whittaker alleges Dantzer retaliated against him and violated his First Amendment rights after Whittaker spoke up about Gable’s accusation that Dantzer assaulted her while they were on a work trip in Fort Worth, according to court documents.
Gable had filed a human resources complaint against Dantzer in November. A city-ordered investigation into the complaint by an outside firm was inconclusive, so no action was taken, city officials said at the time.
Dantzer has denied the allegations against him through his attorney, Daniel Atkinson. Atkinson has declined to comment further on the lawsuits or the pending criminal case against Dantzer.
Article continues below this ad
Whittaker says in the new lawsuit that he realized the third-party investigation commissioned by the city into Gable’s claims was a “cover-up.”
“Desperate to get some outside attention on Mr. Dantzer’s alleged sexual assault and harassment against the city secretary, (Whittaker) sent letters reporting the Oct. 29 incident to the Texas Rangers, the Texas Workforce Commission, the Fort Worth Police Department, and the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool,” the suit states.
SETTLEMENT: Blue Cross Blue Shield customers could get $333 from a $2.67B settlement. Here’s when payments start
On January 12, Whittaker contacted the Texas Workforce Commission’s Civil Rights Division alleging continued retaliation against Gable. Later that day, he emailed the Fort Worth Police again to report assault allegation.
Article continues below this ad
Whittaker claims he sent an email to Dantzer and the city council on Jan. 27, requesting protection under the Texas Whistleblower Act for reporting the continued hostile work environment and bullying against Gable.
However, within three hours, Whittaker was suspended with pay by letter from Dantzer, delivered to him by Magnolia Police Chief Kyle Montgomery, the lawsuit states.
On Jan. 28, Whittaker was fired by the city council in a 4-0 vote, according to the city of Magnolia.
Whittaker claims his termination was in retaliation for him reporting the incident with Dantzer and Gable, according to the lawsuit.
Article continues below this ad
“Dantzer fostered a hostile work environment to discourage employees from reporting any workplace violations or other illegal behavior,” the suit alleges.
Atkinson has not filed a response to any of the lawsuits.