BASTROP COUNTY, Texas — In a 4-to-1 vote, Bastrop City Council stripped the mayor of some of his responsibilities Monday night, after an ethics board unanimously found he interfered with an investigation into the misuse of taxpayer funds.
This week’s resolution limits some of Mayor Lyle Nelson’s authority when it comes to business expenses, reading proclamations, and preparing the agenda. Even though he hasn't been convicted of directly having anything to do with the $70,000 in misused funds, during a special meeting Monday night, council members say their decision came down to trust and loyalty.
“He has placed his desire to avoid embarrassment and public atonement above his duties and to taxpayers," Councilmember Kevin Plunkett said. "Worst yet, he’s asking us to do the same.”
For months, Bastrop Mayor Lyle Nelson has been under fire for refusing to hand over his personal phone and interfering with an investigation into the misuse of $70,000 from the city’s tourism arm Visit Bastrop. During that time, Nelson is alleged to have had an affair with its CEO Susan Smith.
“I made a mistake of a personal and private nature, and whether through immaturity, insecurity, anger, and/or shame, I was slow to admit as such," Nelson said. "I’ve offered apologies to friends and foes alike.”
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A Board of Ethics unanimously determined Nelson abused his power by interfering with the investigation, and many city council members were furious about his dishonesty.
“When you see the evidence that was presented to the ethics committee and city council, it will change you," Councilmember Jimmy Crouch said. "And it did. It changed the way I feel about a lot of things.”
Nelson has been asked several times to resign, but Monday night he reaffirmed that won't happen.
“I am beat up and beat down, but God has led me to this spot for a reason and I cannot abandon it now,” Nelson said.
So instead, the city council voted 4-to-1 to strip him of several responsibilities: he can no longer work in a private office space, business trips, and expenses must be approved ahead of time, he will no longer prepare the council meeting agenda or read proclamations at those meetings. He's also been removed from all city boards and can no longer advocate for the city at the Texas Legislature.
“The argument that these funds are only a tiny percentage of Visit Bastrop’s budget is a slap in the face," Councilmember Cynthia Meyer said. "I don’t care if it’s $1. If it’s misuse of your money, it’s wrong.”
Council member Cheryl Lee is the only one to vote against the measure, saying she believes it’s not the city council’s place to circumvent the city charter or people who elected the mayor in the first place.
“The reprimand wasn’t for theft, however, I feel many of the resolutions are written in a manner - I feel they’re written in a manner that implies he can’t be trusted with city funds," Lee said.
The mayor also continues to deny any wrongdoing and says he turned over all official government devices.
“There can be no evidence because there was no misuse of funds on my part," Nelson said. "These attorneys have cost the city a significant amount of money.”
In a statement to CBS Austin Wednesday, Nelson said:
"Engaging in petty political maneuvering to Subvert the Office of the Mayor does not serve the public well. I will continue to serve the City of Bastrop and will be vindicated."
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