El Paso Mayor John Cook sued several El Paso citizens who started a Recall Petition against him and City Representatives, Susie Byrd and Steve Ortega. Cook “hired” attorney Mark Walker of the Cox and Smith law firm. These are blue stockinged lawyers who sit on the 20 th floor of a bank building. They come from the ilk known for charging by the word and not waiting for their money.–Who is paying Walker’s fees, since John Cook has admitted under oath that he hasn’t paid his lawyer a dime?
Attorney for the defendants, Stuart Leeds, asked John Cook on Cross-examination who was paying Cook’s legal fees. Cook said the bill “comes to” him. When asked again who was paying his legal fees, Cook said he “signed the contract with the attorneys.” When asked again who was paying his legal fees, Cook said he was “responsible for the bill.” When asked how much the lawyers had billed him, Cook said over $80,000. When asked how much Cook had personally paid of this $80,000 he said, “nothing.”
Three months and $80,000 worth of work later and Cook has not paid his lawyers a dime out of his own pocket.
Who is paying Cook’s lawyers? Because you know they are not working for free.
Cook’s attorney Mark Walker’s name appeared recently on the letter head of mega-developer and El Paso over-lord, Woody Hunt.
December 13, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Ms. Caballero,
Thank you for looking out for the citizens of this city. I have listened to you and for you ever since you came out against your father when he was mayor. I truly appreciate your courage and commitment to be a voice in the corrupt place.
December 14, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Honestly it should not matter who is paying his bill, it is no one business it is his personal law suit and he has the RIGHT to not tell anyone.
What people don’t the right is to use IRS tax exempt places to sign something political doing with a recall or a specific candidate.
Our constitution has it loud and clear, Thomas Jefferson was the one who actually wanted it in more, since he was not a christian.
Honestly it’s odd when someone only wants to fight the city on any little issue costing tax payers money.
Instead of focusing on real economic issues
December 20, 2011 at 6:21 pm
There was another comment that I approved. I do not see it here. I am sorry if your comment did not appear.
Of course who is paying for Cook’s attorneys should be an issue. Thomas Jefferson would have pushed for it if it benefited his side. He was against a strong federal govt. which is what Cook wants.
January 2, 2012 at 12:11 am
So you think it is okay for politicians to receive $80,000 anonymously? The notion that a PUBLIC OFFICIAL is pursuing a PRIVATE LAWSUIT to REMAIN IN OFFICE is silly. Any lawsuit regarding the Mayor’s office or the recall is not private. It is because of people like you that corruption is so rampant in El Paso politics, you are so willing to turn a blind eye to those you agree with while they blatantly flout the law. No politician should be able to receive even $100 without having to disclose where it comes from, much less more than $80,000, or the $200,000 he said in a recent article. I also do not buy the notion of “pro bono” services being given to a non-indigent public official. That is a gift in any sense of the word, and should be disclosed as such so that taxes may be levied or treated as a campaign contribution.
January 11, 2012 at 3:04 am
If Jefferson was here he wouldn’t even have allowed people to vote on someones benefits.
He fought to make sure was religion was not to be shoved down people’s lives, yes we had our right to vote.
But read very well, it says to elect representatives, never does the constitution say we can vote on ordinances.
“In every country and every age, the priest had been hostile to Liberty.”
Thomas Jefferson