A federal jury awarded former Donna ISD Superintendent Andres Martinez $1.2 million dollars in a lawsuit filed against his former employers.
Martinez accused then-Donna ISD board of trustees members of going after him when he refused to go along with political rewards and punishment scheme back in May 2001.
A civil trial for the case started on November 3rd before U.S. District Court Judge Randy Crane in McAllen.
Court records show that the jury heard seven days of testimony and began deliberations Thursday evening.
Lawyers for Martinez said the jury announced their verdict in their client's favor around 5 p.m. Friday.
Martinez's attorney Kevin O'Hanlon said he was happy with jury's decision and hopes it sends a message to other Rio Grande Valley school boards.
"We hope it sends a message to all these guys down here," O'Hanlon said. "They need to hire based on merits and not politics"
O'Hanlon told Action 4 News that Martinez is now retired and living in Mercedes.
The Austin-based attorney said none of the accused in the case were present for the jury's decision.
O'Hanlon said the is far from over. He said the school district will most likely appeal the Friday decision.
Court records list the defendants as:
- Donna Independent School District
- George Hernandez (current school board member)
- Eloy Infante (former school board member)
- Aniceto Santana (former school board member)
- Saul Mata (former school board member)
- Richie Moreno (former school board member)
- Gustavo L Acevedo
- Jaime J Munoz
Attorneys for Donna ISD as well as the current and former school board members could not be immediately reached for comment.
Click here for a PDF copy of notes taken from the jury's decision
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