GFA LAW Files Whistleblower Suit Against City of Trinidad Over Firing of Its Former City Administrator

TEMPLE, Texas. GFA LAW, PLLC has filed suit on behalf of Lindsey Patterson, the former City Administrator and City Secretary of the City of Trinidad, in the District Court of Henderson County, Texas. The lawsuit, brought under the Texas Whistleblower Act, alleges that the City suspended and then terminated Ms. Patterson in retaliation for reporting the mishandling of public money.

According to the petition, on February 20, 2026, Ms. Patterson reported to the City's Chief of Police that Event Committee funds were being held outside the City's official depository, contrary to Texas law governing the safekeeping of public funds. The lawsuit alleges that within roughly eight hours of that report the City placed her on administrative leave, and that one week later, on February 27, 2026, it terminated her employment. The City then named Cynthia Sam Dosier as City Administrator in her place.

The petition seeks reinstatement or front pay, lost wages and benefits, compensatory damages, court costs, and attorney's fees. The case, Lindsey Patterson v. City of Trinidad, Texas, was filed on July 9, 2026, and a cause number will be assigned by the Henderson County District Clerk. The City has not yet filed a response, and the allegations in the petition have not been tested in court.

GFA LAW contends that the firing of Ms. Patterson, and the naming of her replacement, marked the beginning of the current City Council's pattern of retaliation against those who question how Trinidad is run. Ms. Patterson is the fifth GFA LAW client to bring suit against the City of Trinidad, and the firm expects additional cases to follow.

This began when Trinidad's leaders fired a public servant for telling the truth about the public's money. Our goal is simple: to put the power in Trinidad back in the hands of its residents, and to hold accountable a City Council we believe has corrupted the public's trust.

CJ Grisham, Senior Partner