Board of Ethics says state law and privacy limits undercut complaint alleging improper record release

During its April 27 meeting, the Denton City Board of Ethics considered whether the city attorney improperly released a mandatory cross‑report or other confidential material. Committee member (S2) outlined that state law restricts release of mandatory cross‑reports to the Department of Family and Protective Services, and said such records are not routinely releasable through the Public Information Act.

"The mandatory cross report to the FPS is only released by the Department of Family and Protective Services," Committee member (S2) said while explaining the applicable procedure and statutory limits. Panelists emphasized privacy for a 13‑year‑old minor referenced in the materials and warned that unauthorized disclosure could violate confidentiality laws.

Based on that legal context, the board voted that there was no evidence the city attorney was required to release the cross‑report or related confidential information. The Chair noted privacy protections are "pretty sacred," underscoring the panel’s view that the complaint did not meet the ordinance standard for an ethics violation tied to disclosure of restricted records.

The panel’s conclusion was procedural — the board did not allege a statutory change, but treated the limits on disclosure as a key factor in finding the complaint baseless.