South Texas police chief fighting suspension after photo purportedly shows him smoking bong

Nick Garza was placed on administrative leave after a photo of him was sent to local media outlets and Rio Hondo ISD showing him allegedly smoking marijuana July 11. Garza, the district's police chief, said he was drinking alcohol and filed a grievance complaint July 12. less Nick Garza was placed on administrative leave after a photo of him was sent to local media outlets and Rio Hondo ISD showing him allegedly smoking marijuana July 11. Garza, the district's police chief, said he ... more Photo: Courtesy/Valley Morning Star Photo: Courtesy/Valley Morning Star Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close South Texas police chief fighting suspension after photo purportedly shows him smoking bong 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

Rio Hondo ISD Police Chief Nick Garza filed a grievance complaint Tuesday after he was placed on administrative leave for allegedly smoking marijuana from a bong in a photo that surfaced Monday, a claim he refutes, according to media reports.

The photo, reportedly taken over the Fourth of July weekend, was sent anonymously to local media outlets Monday with an email message questioning Garza as a role model for children, the Valley Morning Star reported Monday. Garza was placed on administrative leave the same day after Rio Hondo ISD officials saw the photo.

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Officials from the school district, located near Brownsville, did not immediately respond for comment. Garza's attorneys, John Shergold and Jose Hernandez, did not immediately respond for comment Friday. It is also unclear whether the school district is paying for Garza's legal counsel.

Garza said the item seen in the photo, supposedly a bong, contained alcohol, not marijuana. His attorneys are calling for him to be reinstated immediately.

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In his complaint, Garza said: "My reputation and good name has been tarnished by the actions and improper information release by my employer regarding my employment status to the news media.I am being subjected to libel and slander by an anonymous third party known as the defender that my employer is allowing to affect my legal status concerning my employment as the Rio Hondo School District Police Chief."

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"We want to know who the defender is and we need to know why this anonymous individual or individuals have been allowed to destroy my client's reputation," Shergold told the Valley Morning Star.

At a Wednesday press conference, Shergold said the photograph in question "shows no illegal activity." The attorney would not confirm whether Garza took a drug test following the photo surfacing.

Garza has been working for the district for three years, and before worked for the U.S. Department of Public Safety and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy.

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5