Who FAILED the Campaign Finance Reality Check

After former council member Tracie Reveal Shipman stepped up to the Citizens Input podium to publicly scold two sitting council members over their campaign finance reports, we figured it was a good time to do what Frisco Chronicles does best: pull the thread and see what unravels.

If we’re going to talk about ethical leadership and transparency with a straight face, then the microscope shouldn’t only hover over political opponents or convenient targets. Transparency, after all, is not a karaoke song—you don’t get to sing only the parts you like.

So, in the spirit of civic duty, ethical leadership, and good old-fashioned dumpster diving, we decided to take a look at campaign finance compliance across both Frisco ISD trustees and City Council candidates.

Spoiler alert: this trash pile has layers.

The Rules (Because Facts Are Stubborn Things)

Under Texas Election Law, the rules are not optional, vibes-based, or enforced only when politically convenient. Here’s the short version:

Anyone who files a Campaign Treasurer Appointment (Form CTA) must file semiannual campaign finance reports.

This requirement continues even after the election ends, even if the candidate:

  • Lost
  • Raised $0
  • Spent $0
  • Retired emotionally from politics

The only way out? Cease campaign activity and file a FINAL report.

Straight from Texas Election Code §254.063:

  • July 15 report (covering Jan 1 – June 30)
  • January 15 report (covering July 1 – Dec 31)

No report. No “oops.” No “but I meant to.”  The law does not care.

Frisco ISD Trustees: Let’s Start There

Public disclosures and election records can be found here:

Which brings us to…

Mark Hill      Frisco ISD Board of Trustees – Now Running for Mayor

Not in Compliance

  • Filed a campaign finance report in January 2024
  • That report was NOT marked “Final”
  • Meaning… the reporting requirement continues

Missing Reports:

  • ❌ July 2024
  • ❌ January 2025
  • ❌ July 2025

Even $0 activity requires a filing. The form literally allows you to write “$0” repeatedly. Democracy loves paperwork.

Question for voters:
If a candidate can’t follow the most basic campaign finance rules, should they be trusted with the mayor’s office?  Asking for a city.

Dynette Davis       Frisco ISD Trustee

In Compliance

  • Filed her July 2025 report which shows $0 contributions and $0 expenditures
  • Boring? Yes.
  • Correct? Also yes.

Gold star. No sarcasm required.

Sherrie Salas         Frisco ISD Board of Trustees

Not in Compliance

Missing required reports:

  • ❌ January 2025
  • ❌ July 2025

Again, silence is not a filing strategy.

Keith Maddox       Frisco ISD Board of Trustees

Not in Compliance

  • ❌ Missing July 2025 report

One report doesn’t sound like much—until you remember compliance isn’t optional.

City Council: Same Rules, Same Problems

Now let’s shift from the school board to City Hall.

Mark Piland           Candidate in the January 31 Special Election

In Compliance

Filed correctly. Reports accounted for. No notes.

Ann Anderson       Candidate – City Council

Major Compliance Issues

  • Filed a Campaign Treasurer Appointment on November 17, 2023
  • Has filed ZERO campaign finance reports since

That means we’re missing:

❌ June 2024

❌ July 2024

❌ January 2025

❌ July 2025

Per state law, once a treasurer is on file, reports are mandatory until a FINAL report is filed.            No reports = not compliant. Full stop.

So… About That Podium Speech

When someone publicly calls out others for ethical lapses, it’s fair to ask:

  • Has this same scrutiny been applied consistently?
  • Has the speaker reviewed all campaign finance reports with equal vigor?
  • Or is ethics enforcement selective—like a traffic cop who only pulls over certain cars?

Transparency is not a weapon. It’s a standard.  And standards only work when they apply to everyone.

Final Thought

Campaign finance compliance isn’t complicated. It’s tedious. It’s boring. It’s paperwork-heavy. And that’s exactly why it matters.

Because if a candidate can’t handle the boring rules when no one’s watching, how exactly are they going to handle power when everyone is?

We’ll keep digging.  Because someone has to.

Disclaimer: This blog includes satire, parody, and comic relief.  It contains summarized accounts created solely for humor and commentary.  Any resemblance to real events is either coincidental or intentionally satirical.  Reader discretion — and a sense of humor — are advised.

SOURCES:

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/EL/htm/EL.254.htm:

Sec. 254.063.  SEMIANNUAL REPORTING SCHEDULE FOR CANDIDATE.  (a)  A candidate shall file two reports for each year as provided by this section.

(b)  The first report shall be filed not later than July 15.  The report covers the period beginning January 1, the day the candidate’s campaign treasurer appointment is filed, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and continuing through June 30.

(c)  The second report shall be filed not later than January 15.  The report covers the period beginning July 1, the day the candidate’s campaign treasurer appointment is filed, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and continuing through December 31.

DMN “Special Election” Hit Piece

Angela Mathew over at the Dallas Morning News just dropped her article on Frisco’s special election — and folks, it reads like someone jogging behind the Cheney Cabal holding an umbrella. The headline tries to throw one candidate under the bus, but it’s so weak it couldn’t dent a cardboard cutout. Creativity? Original thought? Not today, apparently.

And where is the performance art outrage from Dana Cheney and her loyal Cabal Squad? Why are they not calling foul that the DMN like they did the Denton GOP? These are the people who usually set Facebook on fire for far less. Yet DMN posts a pre-filing article — before the deadline even closes, shutting out anyone who might file by Dec. 1 — and suddenly the theatrics vanish. No outrage from the peanut gallery instead you can hear a pin drop, in a pillow factory.

Mathew starts by polishing up John Keating, mentioning his mayoral announcement… but she avoids the messy parts like a teenager hiding report cards. Not a word about the cheating scandal while he was a public figure. Not a peep about the cringe-worthy social media pics he’s been serving up for years. Not calling out that he was lying about running in order to delay his time on the council. Nope — she airbrushes him into the role of Frisco’s next provincial mayor.

She addresses Mark Piland as the “former Frisco fire chief accused of malfeasance.” Cute. Very cute.

Especially when you compare it with the mountain of context she chose not to include:

🔥 40+ years in local government
🔥 18+ years in executive leadership
🔥 10 years of stellar performance reviews as Frisco’s Fire Chief
🔥 16 years with FEMA Urban Search & Rescue, deployed to:
 – The Pentagon on 9/11
 – Hurricane Katrina
 – The 2010 Haiti earthquake

🔥and much more Mathew could say.

Mathew doesn’t focus on questions related to current city issues such as Save Main, aging infrastructure issues, Animal Facility or a Performing Arts Center (that Cheney is secretly trying to push right now). Instead, she spends her time trying to question Piland about the past. Piland responds, “That’s in the past, we’re moving on, and I’m committed to being accountable to the public.” No questions about the HR Director recently released from her position after an investigation, the same HR Director who falsified Mark Piland’s signature and started the so-called investigation into him to cover her tracks. Funny how Keating’s past gets a velvet rope while Mathew’s tries to slap Piland like a rollercoaster of negativity.

But sure — let’s pretend none of that exists. Wouldn’t fit the vibe, right Angela?

Meanwhile, Ann Anderson — proudly backed by the Cheney faction — gets the marshmallow-soft treatment. She’s introduced as a financial services professional, PTA volunteer, Hobby Lobby shopper, and all-around everyday gal. The article practically ties a bow on her. She talks about helping place underemployed adults in Frisco, inspired by her son — noble mission, genuinely. But the way Mathew frames it? To readers it appears as pure campaign brochure energy.

Let’s call it what it is:
The DMN has a long, proud tradition of circling the wagons around the Cheney faction, and this article was so slanted it could’ve doubled as a ski slope. This wasn’t journalism — it was an endorsement wearing a trench coat.

And if this is the best hit job DMN can produce, the Cabal should ask for a refund.

Frisco sees through it.
We’re not buying it.
And we’re not afraid to say it louder than the DMN’s whisper campaign.

Stay tuned, Frisco. The truth has a longer shelf life than DMN spin — and we’re just getting started.

Disclaimer: This blog includes satire, parody, and comic relief.  It contains summarized accounts created solely for humor and commentary.  Any resemblance to real events is either coincidental or intentionally satirical.  Reader discretion — and a sense of humor — are advised.

Keating For Mayor?  The Secret Everyone Already Knows

In Frisco, secrets don’t stay a secret for long—especially when Frisco Chronicles can file a Public Information Request!  Word on the street (and at every coffee shop from La Finca to Summer Moon) is that John Keating has his eyes on the mayor’s seat and plans to run for Mayor!  The catch? He’s not exactly shouting it from the rooftops.  Even with no formal announcement yet he is talking about it quietly behind the scenes with many different people.  If you directly ask him, you get just a wink, a nod, but pay attention to his suspicious uptick in handshakes and photo ops.

Why the hush-hush?  Maybe it has something to do with the City of Frisco – Home Rule Charter.  Article V covers Nominations and Elections aka Filing for Office.  Section 5.02 (2)(G) reads: The office of an incumbent elected city official shall become vacant when the person holding such office files an application to have his name placed on an official ballot as a candidate for any elective public office other than the one such person holds, unless otherwise prohibited by law. 

What does all that mean?  If John Keating announced he is running for Mayor, he would have to vacate his current seat on council / and his role as Mayor Pro Tem.  John Keating is using his current role to have conversations about running for Mayor to gain support.

How do we know John Keating is allegedly running for Mayor?  First, let’s travel back to the Tammy Tapes where Tammy says “Well, John sat me down and said he wanted to, you know, he’s like, I’m gonna be running for mayor. I’m like, I know John, I know. And he goes, there are rumors that you are running for mayor. And I said, “Well, those are just rumors.” 

Whose Lying? Either Tammy was lying in that conversation, or John is misleading the voters now!

Recently we filed for the text messages between city council members talking about running for mayor, and the positions of Mayor Pro Tem and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem.  We received messages from 3 council members.  We know there is more because we have a copy of a message that was not included in the request from a source.  Begs the question, which members of the council are holding their messages? 

We compared the messages we received from John Keating and Brian Livingston.  We received 16 pages of text messages from Brian Livington and only 2 pages from John Keating.  We printed out both sets of messages, then we lined up the text messages that matched each other.   The Result: We were able to determine the different parts of the message that our Mayor Pro Tem John Keating, withheld from the request.  Everything below is from the Livingston text messages.  Anything in “RED” was submitted by John Keating.  Anything in “BOLD BLUE” is a question by Frisco Chronicles.  Did Keating break the law by withholding parts of his conversation that clearly fit the PIR request and are subject to Public Information?

Tuesday, May 13

John Keating to Brian Livingston: “I had this sent to me last night.”  Then it has a picture of the Frisco Chronicles blog called Tammy’s Hot Tea

Brian Livingston: “Yep. Just checking that you saw it.” 

John Keating: Any one can speculate if I’m running for Mayor; and I can say I’m “considering” running for Mayor, so ….

Frisco Chronicles: It appears John Keating, Mayor Pro Tem is using SEMANTICS to hold on to his current seat even though he has every intention of running for Mayor.

Blacked Out Image

John Keating: No, those are her words… There are other people who have said I’m running that I have never talked to…

Keating Continues:  That’s like Dan saying he heard I said I’m running, or I told him I’m running, so therefore I’m running and need to resign…  Doesn’t work like that for obvious reasons.  Exactly what they’re doing now.

Keating Continues: I’m not that stupid, and have been over this more than once with Richard…

Frisco Chronicles: Richard Who?  Richard Abernathy the CITY ATTORNEY? The City Attorney represents the CITY not John Keating and we hope the City attorney is not helping him break the rules of our city charter.

Brian Livingston: “HaHa” the comment

John Keating: I’m still “seriously considering” running for Mayor…! (Fireball Emoji)

Brian Livingston: I think you, Shona and Scott all missed a huge opportunity to separate yourselves from each other. 

John Keating: I imagine you would support Shona, but I’d love to have you on my team!

Keating Continues: Scojo (Scott Johnson) has no chance.  No money, and his ex will sandbag him the whole way…

Keating Continues: Shona is forgotten and out of touch.  Coming back as Mayor after three years is asking a lot.

Blacked Out Image

Brian Livingston: They still think Tammy has a shot at being Mayor?

Keating: Thumbs Down Emoji to Livingston’s question

Blacked Out Image

Sunday, June 8 @ 9:15 AM

John Keating: Are you seeking DMPT / MPT?  (stands for Deputy Mayor Pro Tem and Mayor Pro Tem)

Brian Livingston: xxx-xxx-xxxx for Jared and Yes, I would like to be MPT for my last year on council.  I’m free for lunch tomorrow.

John Keating: Who would be DMPT?  I’d support you for MPT, if either me or Angelica could be DMPT?

Keating Continues: I’m not sure where Laura lands with all of this, but under the circumstances, I’d expect her to get crushed next year…

Brian Livingston: I’d prefer you as DMPT and think that would be fun.  But I have no problem with Angelia.

John Keating: And I am “seriously considering” running for Mayor, and would certainly love to have TX GOP support! As I’ve said before, I’d support you for county commissioner as Mayor…

Frisco Chronicles: Is this a violation of “Reciprocal Favors” in the City Charter under Section 2-302 Unfair Advancement of Private Interests? It says a city official may not enter into an agreement or understanding with any other person that official action by the official will be rewarded or reciprocated by the other person, directly or indirectly. Keating clearly states that if Livingston endorses him and supports him for Mayor, then as MAYOR he would support Livingston for County Commissioner. That would be an “official action” in response to support.

John Keating: Let me bounce this off Angelia.  She’s on vacation.  I know she wants unity, and she’s definitely not on Team Tammy, Jeff, Lorie, Bill…Neither am I…! (smiling emoji)

Frisco Chronicles: Tell us how Angelia really feels Keating!

John Keating: Angelia is proposing MPT for her and DMPT for you, to show unity.

Brian Livingston: No, that shows the status quo.

John Keating: Agree

Brian Livingston: It’s my last year and I just turned the council.

John Keating: She knows I want to run for Mayor, and she will support me.  I’m ok with her being DMPT, with you as MPT.  I told her I would like to be DMPT until I announce, then I can resign my seat and DMPT, and she can take over…

Frisco Chronicles: It is not “considering” when Keating makes it clear repeatedly to other city officials that he is running –  which is a violation of the CITY CHARTER! 

Brian Livingston: She was part of kicking me off Budget and Audit, unity would be supporting me now.  A split vote isn’t going to look good.

John Keating: I think the unity piece is in Angelia as DMPT, as much as I want it… It would show your magnanimity…

Brian Livingston: After that vote, let’s have dinner and talk about next year. My seat, mayor, etc.  Maybe we can go somewhere in McKinney.

John Keating: or AZ…(smiling/laughing emoji)

John Keating: Angelia will take DMPT, but suggests we vote on DMPT first, make sure she gets it, then support you for MPT.  You’ll get it either way, as I will promise to support you, so you have the 4 votes you need.  More would be nice.  Could be 6-0 for you upstairs and downstairs if we do this right…

Brian Livingston: I am fine with that.  She not trust me?   Have you reached out to Tammy?  Should I text Gopal?

John Keating: She feels you villainize her and ran Redmond against her.  She had nothing to do with Budget & Audit and couldn’t (not legible)

Brian Livingston: Odds that somehow, I get fucked over for MPT?

Frisco Chronicles: Livingston must have futuristic powers because he knew John, Angelia, and Laura were going to screw him over from what it sounds like.

John Keating: I think you’re good to go!  Angelia and I are on board.

Brain Livingston: I’ll remember that.  I promise.

John Keating: Thumbs Up Emoji

John Keating: And you, Jared, Burt, me support Angelia for DMPT…!

Brian Livingston: Done

John Keating: Brian: MPT & Angelia: DMPT

John Keating: I’d like to get your perspective on Mayor’s race next year.  It seems pretty clear Jared P will endorse Shona, along with the Colberg’s several others.  IMHO, bringing Will and Shona back is a bad idea!

Brian Livingston: I think right now it’s a dead heat.  Nobody is doing anything to differentiate themselves.  Probably between you and Shona unless someone jumps in and surprises us.  You need to separate yourself from Jeff without going nuclear.  Look mayoral and statesman like.  Your biggest advantage is that you are a sitting elected official.  Need to solidify GOP support.  A lot can change in a year.  We’ve just seen that.

John Keating: I am thinking about MPT, so we should talk.  I’m thinking if I want to run for Mayor, I should be MPT.   If I do run for Mayor and lose, this would be my last year…!  I do want to be Mayor and would endorse you for county commish, that hasn’t changed.

Frisco Chronicles: I do want to be Mayor! John Keating again proves his word is useless.  Everything is about him, only him and no one else matters

Keating Continues: I am surprised to hear about the social media stuff.  Not sure what’s driving that or why this would happen now…?  Is there another Whistleblower article???

Frisco Chronicles: How would Livingston know if there is another Whistleblower article coming?   He has nothing to do with Whistleblower!

Brian Livingston: Nope people just started calling me saying Jeff unfriended them so I looked on Facebook.

Friday June 13 @ 11:24 AM

John Keating: At the same time, I want to honor my commitment to you, and distance myself from “Team Tammy”…

Frisco Chronicles: Clearly, John Keating does not understand the term “honoring my commitment,” and of course, he wants to distance himself from “Team Tammy.”

Brian Livingston: I’ll be honest, I was taken aback by that text.  This is my last year no matter what and I think I have earned the MPT.  While I like and respect you, that would definitely change our political relationship at this point.

John Keating: I’m concerned about Shona running for Mayor and what level of support she will get.  It seems pretty clear JP will support her.  I don’t want to look foolish supporting you for MPT, and then you endorse her.  Not a good look for me…

At a US Army luncheon…

Frisco Chronicles: Welcome to the Keating Show, where everything is about … Keating!

Brian Livingston:  I think you should do what you think is best.  I’m not going to trade an endorsement for MPT as that is unethical (not saying you suggested that in any way).  Most of my thoughts about this don’t need to be texted and probably not even said.  Just remember you gave me your word in front of Burt.  Have a Happy Father’s Day weekend. 

Frisco Chronicles: This is the best statement in the whole text thread.  Livingston makes clear it is borderline unethical – but that is the Frisco Way!

John Keating: Yes, agree.  Happy Father’s Day!

Monday, June 30th @ 2:30 PM

Brian Livingston: Rumor is that Tammy is going to run for your seat when you announce for Mayor.  You have picked someone already?

John Keating: Rob Altman has asked about it.  I’d like to get TX GOP support for me and him, maybe for Ann Anderson – she wants to run for your seat…  I’m obviously not supporting Tammy for anything…

Brian Livingston: Colberg may step in and if she does, I’ll probably support her.  No idea for what seat.  I just want us to have a head start on Tammy.

John Keating: LR is pissed about DMPT

Black Out Image

Brian Livingston: Also, you and Altman will need to work on Elad and grassroots since you supported Gopal.  Plenty of time just can’t waste it. 

Black Out Image

Brian Livingston: Between us, I get really flexible on things after getting MPT.

John Keating: Would love your endorsement!

Tuesday, July 1 @ 3:11 PM

John Keating: Sends 2 Images which appear to be screen shots from our article “Oaths, Secrets & Settlements: A Night of Swearing In and Swearing Off at Frisco City Hall.”  Along with the message, “What is happening???  This is exactly what I asked you NOT to do!  I’m really pissed off!”

Brian Livingston: What did I do?

John Keating: Did you tell them about MPT?

Brian Livingston: No, its on the agenda.

Frisco Chronicles: Ding, ding, ding – Brian Livingston is correct.  It was on the agenda!  It doesn’t take a genius to know that.

Let’s Break It Down

Is John Keating Running For Mayor?  Yes!  He has made that clear to Tammy Meinershagen (which she repeated), he has made it clear to Brian Livingston (based on text messages).  Then we have his statement “She (referring to Angelia Pelham) knows I want to run for Mayor, and she will support me.”  If you have made it clear to Angelia Pelham that you are running for Mayor, she should be calling for you to step down.  Is she bending the rules for you? 

Residents should be calling on the City Attorney, City Manager and City Council and enforcing the City Charter that requires him to step down!

Is John Keating Mayoral?  No!  When you represent our city (even in private) you should hold yourself to a high standard.  Talking shit about current and former council members and previous employees is inappropriate.  Saying Shona Sowell is forgotten, out of touch and asking a lot to come back after three years is disgraceful especially when you know the reason she chose to step down was to focus on her personal health and her battle to beat breast cancer.  Just one thought, Mr. Keating at least she had the courage to step away. 

Saying Scojo (aka Scott Johnson) has no chance because he has no money, and his ex will sandbag him, is also disgraceful.  Whatever Johnson did in private is none of our business, unlike YOU, MR. KEATING, who got caught in a community public pool on a holiday weekend with a woman who was not your wife!  Wouldn’t it be interesting if Keating’s EX ever got the guts to sandbang him? Gloating that his wife will sandbag him is the pot calling the kettle black!  Also, it is not MAYORAL, nor are posts like joking around about getting naked.

Then let’s talk about your comments on Laura Rummel, “under the circumstances, I’d expect her to get crushed next year…”  What circumstances are you referring to Mr. Keating?  While we don’t disagree with you, we are not running for office.  Have you said this to her face?  Probably not!  Two-faced statements are not very becoming of a Mayor.

Keating’s behavior over the last several years has been far from Mayoral!  Then he wants to sit on this thrown and judge others – is that who want leading the city?

Keating wants the local GOP support.   Keating knows how to hob knob with the establishment liars, but both theCollin and Denton GOPs are more “grassroots” republicans.  Keating has endorsed democrats and donated to democrats, which is a HUGE party NO-NO!  He has done nothing over the years to establish a relationship with the grassroots republicans.  He is the definition of what many call a RINO! 

Quid Pro Quo Offer.  When John said he was “seriously considering” running for Mayor and would love to have Livingston’s support, and in return he would support him as Mayor for Denton County Commissioner, he violated the City Charter again. The City Charter (Ch 2, Sec 2-302) clearly states (2) Reciprocal favors: A city official may not enter into an agreement or understanding with any other person that official action by the official will be rewarded or reciprocated by the other person, directly or indirectly.  Keating said if you support me, then AS MAYOR (which is an official capacity) he would support Brian. That is probably why Brian quickly responded that his text was borderline unethical!

Closing Thoughts

Keating’s playing the “mystery candidate” card. By keeping it quiet, he avoids early scrutiny, dodges critics who’d love a head start, and keeps potential rivals guessing. Think of it as political poker: he’s hiding his hand until the pot’s just right.   But let’s be honest—Frisco isn’t buying the act. When a politician suddenly cares it’s not out of pure civic joy. It’s campaigning in disguise.

Keating is lying to VOTERS and we have said it before this council runs with Rules For Thee, Not For Me!  Is it MAYORAL to lie to residents about your plan to run for Mayor so you can continue to hold on to your seat on council?  Is it MAYORAL to negotiate the Mayor Pro Tem and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem positions? 

At this point, we are asking the City Manager and City Attorney to have John Keating step down because clearly, he is running for Mayor.  It is not “considering” when he makes it clear to multiple people he is running.  It is a violation of the CITY CHARTER – it is time for the CITY OF FRISCO to do the right thing! We are also calling on the City Attorney, City Manager, and City Council to respond to the PIR’s in full. Did Keating violate the law by leaving quite a bit of his conversation out of the response that fit the PIR request? Why would he do that? Is he trying to cover something up? Is that Mayoral? Also, we would like to know if his comments violated the city charter section on “Reciprocal Favors?”

Stay tuned—because the only thing more entertaining than the race itself will be watching how long he can keep pretending he’s not in it.

Disclaimer: This blog includes satire, parody, and comic relief.  It contains summarized accounts created solely for humor and commentary.  Any resemblance to real events is either coincidental or intentionally satirical.  Reader discretion — and a sense of humor — are advised.

Noskin Law Firm, PLLC – Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 2025
Appellate Court Issues Emergency Stay in Response to Writ of Mandamus Filed to
Protect Anonymous Free Speech


FRISCO, TEXAS — In a pivotal development for free speech rights in Texas, the Court of Appeals has issued an emergency stay in response to a Petition for Writ of Mandamus filed to halt an attempt to unmask an anonymous online speaker behind the “Frisco Chronicles Whistleblower” platform. The appellate court’s intervention underscores the importance of judicial safeguards in protecting First Amendment rights.

The writ was filed on behalf of the Frisco Chronicles Whistleblowers blog in the matter of Jamie Heit v. Frisco Chronicles Whistleblower, a Rule 202 proceeding in Denton County. The central issue is whether Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 202—a pre-suit deposition mechanism—can be used to compel disclosure of anonymous civic commentary.

Mandamus: A Constitutional Check on Premature Disclosure
The Writ of Mandamus asks the appellate court to overturn the trial court’s June 2025 decision that granted Jamie Heit’s Rule 202 petition. The trial court had authorized a deposition to identify the individual(s) responsible for anonymous posts critical of Heit, a limited-public figure.

On July 10, 2025, the appellate court granted the emergency stay pending review of the mandamus petition.

Implications of the Mandamus and Next Steps
The appellate court’s emergency stay temporarily shields the identity of certain individuals and will remain in place until the court of appeals rules on the Writ of Mandamus. What happens next:

  • The appellate court will review the legal arguments and determine whether the writ should be granted, thereby vacating Rule 202 petition order outright.
  • If the Writ is denied, the deposition may proceed, although further appellate review (including to the Texas Supreme Court) may follow.
  • If granted, the case will mark a significant precedent in protecting anonymous speech under Texas law.

Why This Mandamus Matters
“This isn’t just about one blog or one person,” said Steven Noskin, counsel for the anonymous blog. “It’s about whether our courts will uphold the constitutional right to anonymous speech in the face of powerful interests trying to unmask critics without filing suit or meeting their legal burden.”

“Our client is not seeking to avoid accountability,” Noskin continued. “They are asserting the foundational right to speak freely. That right belongs to every concerned citizen—every parent, teacher, or taxpayer who dares to question authority.”

For media inquiries or legal commentary, please contact:

STEVEN NOSKIN, Attorney for Respondent
Email: snoskin@noskinlawfirm.com
Direct: (972) 214-4777
Frisco, Texas

Mr. Noskin may be available for interview or comment upon request.

“Oaths, Secrets & Settlements: A Night of Swearing In and Swearing Off at Frisco City Hall”

Frisco Chronicles: What Lies Beneath … in the Agenda?

Every other week, like clockwork, the Frisco City Council releases an agenda packed with the usual suspects: zoning changes, budget adjustments, proclamations for pickleball appreciation month—nothing to see here, folks. Move along.

You ever hear that old saying, “The devil’s in the details?” Sometimes, here in Frisco, the devil doesn’t just visit the details—he rents a room in the city council agenda.  But this week is a little DIFFERENT!   Let’s Dive In!

First Up: Executive Session: The Vault

This is where transparency goes to die. Behind closed doors, council members discuss land deals, lawsuits, and personnel matters—away from public ears and cameras.  Yes, some of it needs to be private. But some of it? Let’s just say if the public heard the full audio, they’d be polishing pitchforks by sunrise.  So, what is happening during The Vault this week?  Agenda Item 2(C) is about Personal Matters, and it says they will “DELIBERATE THE APPOINTMENT OF MAYOR PRO-TEM, DEPUTY MAYOR PRO-TEM AND CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES.”   

The actual vote will happen under the “Individual Items” and our vote is for Brian Livingston for Mayor Pro-Tem and we encourage everyone to email you council members today and tell them to vote for Livingston for Mayor Pro-Tem for the last year of his term.

Second: Individual Items – Special Events

We expect the council chambers to be packed with supporters of Burt Thakur and Jared Elad on Tuesday night as they will be sworn in.  There has been a buzz in the air since the election night of the runoff race.  Seat will be filled, cameras will be rolling, and the room will be electric with that rarest of municipal emotions: hope.

Because Tuesday is not just another city council meeting it is changing of the guard!  With right hands raised and left hands resting on the city charter, Burt Thakur and Jared Elad will be officially sworn in as the newest members of the Frisco City Council. 

Why is this important, because they were not appointed to the seat, they were elected by you!  By the small business owners tired of red tape. By the residents who want Frisco to thrive, not just survive.  And they came in not to blend, but to stand.

The room will be electric, and you will be able to feel the shift in the room.  Smiles from supporters. Side-eyes from the establishment. A few city staffers quietly clutching their blood pressure meds.  It will end with applause. Loud. Sustained.

Welcome to the table, Burt and Jared.  Frisco’s watching!

Next up, The Consent Agenda: Where Democracy Goes to Nap

We have said it before, and we will say it again, the most exciting thing most Frisco residents glance over is the “DETAILS” in the CONSENT AGENDA.  If you stop, squint, and scroll past the “Consent Agenda” (which is code for “let’s pass this all without discussion”), you’ll find the real story. Because what lies beneath those bland agenda titles are buried treasures—or more often, ticking time bombs. 

This is where the “Devil Is in the Details!”  Basically, the Consent Agenda is where they stash the stuff they want to hide. Think of it like the junk drawer of city government—contracts, appointments, expenditures, land swaps, and sometimes even lawsuits—all passed with a single vote and zero debate.

The Devil is in Item 24: It reads, Consider and act upon approval of the Settlement Agreement and Release between the City of Frisco, Texas and Lauren Safranek and authorizing the City Manager to sign the same and take all steps necessary to effectuate the Settlement Agreement and Release. (CMO/HH)

After our blog “City Halls Troubled Sea’s” everyone was quiet about the mysterious disappearance of the HR Director and several others in her department.  In fact we have had PIR’s in for over a month a now and they are delaying them and going to the Attorney General. According to item 24 in the consent agenda they will approve a settlement agreement and release between the City and Sassy Safranek.  We will file a PIR for that settlement agreement.   

Yes, this is the same Lauren Safranek who led the witch hunt against Former Fire Chief Mark Piland and continues to oversee the court case against Assistant Fire Chief Cameron Kraemer.  She has spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on unnecessary investigations to cover up her flagrant forgeries and other mistakes!   

What we find interesting is that the city could have settled with Cameron Kraemer, who WON his PTSD Injury Claim by the TDI Workers Compensation Division in Dallas.  You can read more about in The Local Profile, but instead, Safranek and the city pushed forward, continuing to spend taxpayer dollars on a losing case.  Something in the Council Chambers smells like the crap in Exide. Why will the City settle with Lauren Safranek and not Former Asst. Fire Chief Cameron Kraemer?  Demand answers, Frisco!

Learn more about Lauren Safranek in a few of our old blogs:

Breaking News; Big Time Casino Payout

Day 12: Tangled Web of Lies

Day 10: Dog & Pony Show

Day 9: Case 64 Responses

Day 3: Case 64 & HR Malfeasance

2023: Sassy Safranek

Last Up for The Night, The Regular Agenda – aka The Cryptic Language 101

Usually, items here are often worded in such vague terms that only a decoder ring or a PhD in municipal bureaucracy could translate it!  Most of the time this section can be pretty boring but NOT TONIGHT! 

Item 36:  Consider and act upon appointments to City Council Committees. (CSO/KM)

Remember when Brian Livingston supported Mark Piland two years ago against Mayor Cheney – well he was removed from all the committees he served on and so were many of his supporters.  Why?  They didn’t play Cabal Ball.  In the past, you didn’t walk away from that, like nothing happened.  No, instead you were punished!  Well tonight Livingston and hopefully our new council members will take their rightful place on these committees again! 

It’s time to speak up and demand changes not with our council representatives but what happens deep down in the city on these committees.   It is time for us to make our voices heard!  There are more Cabal Busters than Cabal God Fathers.

What Can You Do?  Read the agenda. Seriously, someone must.  Ask questions. Email your council members. Show up. Be annoying.  Speak out at Citizens’ Input, have your message included in the record. Demand clarity. If an item sounds vague, ask why. If they dodge, follow the money. Watch for patterns. When the same developer keeps getting breaks or the same contractor keeps winning bids, take note.

Help us!  Share what you find. That’s what we’re here for. To shine a flashlight into the shadows and say, “Hey… what the hell is this?”  Frisco isn’t just growing—it’s morphing. And what gets decided in those meetings shapes the city we live in, the traffic we sit in, and the taxes we pay.

Lastly, tomorrow you can bet some Cabal Godfathers will be upset.  Maybe one will write another HAIKU on her page full of hidden meaning and endless blah, blah, blah.  The Cabal will all respond to it on queue for sure as they are supposed to do.  Don’t worry, we know they are butt hurt but we are moving forward with change while they wallow on yesterday. Most of all remember, the next time someone tells you the council meeting was boring, just smile and say: “Sure… until you read what lies beneath.”

Toxic Tammy: The Truth, the Transcript, and the Tale Behind the Tape

Since the release of the now-infamous Toxic Tammy Tapes, we’ve seen just about every excuse imaginable tossed into the public arena to discredit them:

  • They’re fake.
  • They’re deepfakes.
  • They’re AI-generated.
  • They’re illegally recorded.
  • They’ve been “heavily edited.”
  • There’s an “ongoing investigation” into them by Frisco PD

But here’s the thing: in Frisco, when someone’s caught saying the quiet parts in a safe space out loud, suddenly the how/why/when it was recorded becomes more important than what was actually said.

Even spouses of current Frisco City Council members have taken to social media soapboxes, proclaiming—without evidence—that some shadow investigation is under way. “Illegally recorded tapes!” they cry. Well, we filed a Public Information Request (PIR) with the Frisco Police Department over 10 days ago asking if there was any investigation into the origin, legality, or content of the recordings.

So far? Crickets.

How Did We Get The Tapes

How did we get the tapes? Simple.  An insider—tired of the two-faced politics, of the backroom manipulation, of the fake smiles and public gaslighting—decided the people of Frisco deserved better. They handed us the recording because they trusted us to tell the truth, and that’s exactly what we did.  Again, we want to make it clear that it was not a candidate for Place 4, but it was someone within the person’s circle and from what we understand that could be a lot of people.

We made a few promises when we were approached about the tapes.  The first was to remove the voice of the second person, we did!  We did not know at the time how difficult that would be and time consuming because we did not want to alter the message communicated.  The second request was to remove the identifiable background music we did!  The third request was from the source who delivered the tapes to protect them, we did!  We will say the source proved to us how they received the tape and the conversation they had about the tape being released to Whistleblower.  We can say nothing illegal was done, how it was obtained was not illegal and it was not recorded in any way that was illegal.

With that mutual agreement … We had the tape. It is very real. It is raw. And now, they have been fully transcribed, verified, and timestamped throughout.

How Were The Tapes Transcribed:

We ran the recordings through Otter.ai, which created the first draft of the transcript. Then we did what no AI or spin machine can do: we sat down, put on the headphones, and listened very closely to every inch of the conversation again. All of it.  Start to finish. We painstakingly cross-checked each statement, verified speaker identities, and confirmed the accuracy of every quote.

In places where the background noise (music, clinking water glasses, running water or fountain sound) made things tough to hear, we noted it. We didn’t guess. We didn’t fill in blanks. We kept it honest—because the truth doesn’t need editing.

Why We’re Releasing It:

After much debate with our team, we have decided to release the transcript of the whole recording because it does not violate any of the three things we promised.  We also feel the reputation of FriscoChronicles was put on the line and we have always been above board.  We understand from the public perspective it appears the recording was released with selective leaks which could appear to have been a politically motivated spin, and we can assure you that was not the case.  We release things when we get them and after we confirm the info to be factual.  We released the tapes less than 2 days after we received them and after we confirmed them – business as usual. 

Truthfully, citizens deserve to know what was said, who said it, and the context in which it happened.  Tammy Meinershagen claims to represent our values on the City Council.

And Now… The Backstory We Received

Everything has a backstory, and we are going to share what we were told as it adds to the context in our opinion.  The meeting occurred sometime in January of 2025, and it was Tammy Meinershagen who reached out to Voice #2 asking for the meeting.  After offering to meet at a local restaurant it was Tammy Meinershagen who insisted on coming to the home of Voice #2. 

The context given for the meeting was that Tammy was hoping to advise her on her campaign and help answer any questions (good or bad) the candidate may have.  At this point several “cabal leaders” had already reached out to this candidate and told them not to run.  Why?  It would hurt Gopal who was running for the same seat.  The candidate had already made the decision to run and was not going to change their mind or back down and when Tammy reached out the candidate was excited that someone actually wanted to give campaign advice and offer clarification on things they may not understand about the process.

The day Meinershagen came over, the candidate took notes with a note pad and had the phone on the table recording it so they could fill in the blanks later of anything they missed.  No evil intent behind it! 

A few sources have told us (we have not had this confirmed by the candidate) that it was the direction the conversation went that first upset the candidate and while she didn’t tell Tammy at the time, she felt when it was over that Tammy had been very derogatory to her people, and others and that she had never seen Tammy wish such venom.  The candidate felt this was another attempt to for someone to come over and to tell her not to run because it was constantly about “splitting the votes” and that would hurt Gopal.  Things progressed in the election cycle and the candidate moved forward running for office and that was the end of it.    

Now that is all we were given as backstory, we don’t know more than that but it does align with what we heard in the conversation. 

Diving Into The Transcript

Part 1: Small Talk about Place 4

Part 2: Talk about Place 2

After talking about who may or may not be running in Place 4, Tammy stated she believes she will have some opponents, too.  The candidate, surprised, asked who?  Tammy says, well, first of Sai “Idiot Sia” … she was not prompted to say that.  She was not lured into calling Mr. Krishna an idiot.  She said what she believed!  Why?  Because she thought she was in a safe space to speak the TRUTH!  Up to this point, there had been no name-calling of any candidates or potential candidates – Tammy threw the first flame!   Oh, and Tammy continued to throw the flames without any leading questions or being tricked into saying anything.

The truth is Voice #2 – The Candidate, got quiet when the conversation turned, which matches what we were told, that she was surprised at where the conversation went. 

We invite you to read the transcript for yourself. Don’t let someone else think for you – find the link at the end of the blog.

You Decide

It goes on, and on, and on!  In our opinion, Tammy was not led into any of her statements.  They were said of her own free will, they are her thoughts and she made the choice to say it!  I think the candidate whom she was speaking to that day learned some things about her Friend that she didn’t like.  Tammy’s true colors began to show and anyone would wonder – what does she say about me when I am not around? 

Personally, while everyone is condemning “the recorder” or the person who transferred it to us, we think they deserve a community applause.  As voters we have the right to hold our city leaders accountable and to a certain level of professionalism.  We also have the right to know what they truly think of the population they represent. 

What the South Asian or Desi community needs to understand is that their VOTE for Tammy Meinershagen contributes to this continued behavior.  They have only shown up to get your donations or your vote – where are they the rest of the time?  Are they attending your HOA meetings, are they showing up late to the festivals, just have to have their picture taken at the end to say “we were here!” 

That is how it appears to most of us and honestly if the South Asian community is not offended by that – then let us know so we are not offended for you.  We are going to let you decide!  The full transcript is just as bad as the shortened portions we published earlier.  In fact, we think its worse because you clearly see this is who Tammy Meinershagen is. 

We could call out her supporters and their attempt to discredit, hurt, and attack Burt Thakur, another South Asian, and Jared Elad to help you forget about the tapes, but we won’t! 

Before you believe the latest PR PUSH to blame AI, or that she was tricked into her comments read it and come to your own conclusions.  At Frisco Chronicles, we believe sunlight is the best disinfectant. And this, dear readers, is one hell of a toxic spill.

Please excuse any typos or grammatical errors on the transcript, we did not want to change what was transcribed.  We only made sure it matched the recording and that the statements were assigned to the right person.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL TRANSCRIPT