A federal judge heard arguments Monday in the legal fight over the planned removal of Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo, with a ruling expected by the end of the week.
The hearing, held via Zoom, centered on a key legal question: whether the city charter’s removal process applies to the mayor’s office or only to city council members.
Attorneys for Guajardo argued the city charter does not clearly outline a process for removing a mayor, contending the language applies solely to council members. City attorneys countered that the charter’s removal language is broad enough to include the mayor’s office as well.
City attorneys also argued that a removal process is already underway and that, out of fairness to those who filed complaints against Guajardo, it should be allowed to continue.
The removal proceedings were triggered on April 14, when five city council members voted to advance a petition seeking Guajardo’s removal from office. Council members Carolyn Vaughn, Gil Hernandez, Sylvia Campos, Kaylynn Paxson and Eric Cantu voted in favor of moving forward. Council members Roland Barrera and Mark Scott voted against it. Guajardo and Council Member Everett Roy abstained.
Earlier this month, attorneys for the mayor filed a motion demanding those same five council members recuse themselves from the impeachment proceedings before a trial even begins. The motion argues that because Vaughn, Hernandez, Campos, Paxson and Cantu voted to advance the impeachment, they cannot serve as impartial jurors — particularly given that they are also witnesses in the case.
Guajardo has since taken the fight to federal court, filing a lawsuit challenging the entire removal process. The suit names the City of Corpus Christi as a defendant, along with all five council members who voted to advance the petition. The lawsuit raises significant questions about due process and whether the removal proceedings comply with the city charter.
The case has raised broader questions about the legal framework governing mayoral removal in Corpus Christi, with the proceedings currently entangled in federal court as both sides argue over the rules that should govern the process.
After hearing both sides, Judge George Hanks said he expects to issue a ruling by the end of the week, once he concludes an ongoing trial — but not before a scheduled hearing Tuesday. He asked both sides to submit a letter outlining any decisions made by the city council on key issues raised during arguments, including whether council members could serve as both witnesses and jury in the removal proceedings.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.