A Houston attorney who also happens to be the largest Democratic contributor in the state this week released new details in his ongoing lawsuit against the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.
In his deposition before attorney Steve Mostyn, the former head of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, Jim Oliver, says he was told by Lt. Governor David Dewhurst to no longer to settle with groups who sued the state because of unpaid insurance claims, because the money being paid to Mostyn was going back into the Texas Democratic Party.
Oliver said in his deposition, “He was quite upset about money from Texas Windstorm going to your law firm in particular, and perhaps other Democratic causes... And also in particular he made a point... you've got to try these cases and... stop paying these stupid losses.”
Mostyn is well-known for being a heavy-contributor to the Texas Democratic Party. Oliver said his closed-door meeting with Dewhurst and Friendswood State Sen. Larry Taylor (R) happened before he was fired.
Oliver says, “When I was there, which is another reason they got rid of me... I told them 'there's no way we're going to stop.' However, after the oversight occurred, the Department of Insurance told us to stop [settling cases].”
Mostyn is also the lead attorney in the Brownsville school district’s lawsuit against the state during which he uncovered hundreds of racist emails between leading state officials, which he filed a request with the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate. This week, Mostyn also subpoenaed Lt. Governor Dewhurst and Senator Taylor for their testimony.
James Oliver Full Deposition, 2-28-14