Well, it is a misdemeanor case that has come with a heavy price in Cibilo. The town's decision to hire a police officer with a previous family assault charge resulted in that officer losing his license and several supervisors being reprimanded by the state. As case investigates, Dylan Collier reports, Cibilo has now spent well over $100,000 to fight those findings. >> You ever look at your city budget and think, "Wow, I hope my tax dollars are being spent responsibly." Yeah, same. Because in Cibilo, Texas, officials looked at over $100,000 of taxpayer money and said, "You know what? This should go toward defending a police officer the state already said shouldn't be a cop." According to public records, the city of Cibilo spent more than $14,000 on outside lawyers after the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement revoked an officer's license. Not suspended. Not needs retraining. Revoked. The officer, Arnufo Cortez. The problem, a past family violence case the state says disqualifies him from law enforcement. The city's response, challenge accepted. Let's rewind to 2014. Cortez and his then wife were both arrested after a domestic dispute. Both charged with assault, family violence. Cortez received a deferred disposition which was later dismissed. And this is where police departments love to play lawyer. It was dismissed. It wasn't a conviction. Technically, yes, technically, which is why TCole still said no. Because when you're issuing guns and authority, technically doesn't always cut it. >> Eight years before he was hired by the Cibilo Police Department, Arnol Cortez had a much different interaction with officers there. 4th of July 2014, officers called to this home encountered Cortez, who told them his aranged wife had entered the residence, taken one of his loaded handguns, and locked herself in a bathroom. After she came out, records show Cortez and his then wife struggled over a suitcase in front of police and despite being warned to stop continued quote violent behavior with each other. Months after the couple was arrested, Cortez pleaded no contest to a class C misdemeanor charge of assault family violence, the lowest level criminal offense available in Texas and used only when the victim has no visible injuries. Cortez was given six months deferred disposition and in May 2015 the case was dismissed from his criminal record, but the assault incident popped back up in a major way last year. Cortez, who became a licensed peace officer in 2018 and then got hired by Civilo in 2022, was flagged during an audit of the department by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Tik canled Cortez's license in February of last year and he was moved to an administrative role with Cibilo PD while fighting to get reinstated. But the city of Cibilo wasn't convinced. They decided the state licensing authority was wrong. So they hired lawyers, expensive lawyers on your dime. And just to be clear, this wasn't about protecting the public. This was about protecting a badge and everyone involved in handing it out. Cibilo officials were aware of the family violence case, but didn't believe it disqualified him from being hired. Neither did the Universal City Police Department when it brought Cortez on board in 2018, or the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office, which hired him in 2019. >> He has valiantly served and protected our community with honor, professionalism, and dedication. In midJune, Civilo Police Chief Dedric Andress pleaded with the commission to restore Cortez's license. The hearing, however, >> I'm going to correct you, George, >> repeatedly went off the rails. >> I'm sorry, I'm speaking now. >> As Cibilo's attorney sparred with commissioners, >> this is ad hoc and the rules are changing >> over how much time he was given to present his side. >> So, you're you're not going to take action on my request? >> I am not taking action on your request. Commissioners voted to keep Cortez's license canled. No longer able to serve as a peace officer, he resigned from the department eight days later. Oh, and here's the fun part. The city didn't just spend money defending the officer. Records show they also paid legal fees to defend supervisors involved in his hiring and background check. Because when accountability shows up, suddenly everyone needs a lawyer. Records obtained by KESAT show the city has spent well over $14,000 in outside legal fees so far defending Cortez and four cibilo officials who either conducted or supervised Cortez's background investigation. The city safety director was given a warning by T. Cole while three police supervisors were handed letters of reprimand. Dylan Collier, KAT investigates. >> A reach for comment. The chief of Universal City Police says that the family violence case would likely prevent Cortez from being rehired. Guadalupe County Sheriff Joshua Ray says Cortez should never have been hired by the previous administration. Now, Civilo officials continue to fight the discipline issued by TCL. Police leadership declined to speak with Case on camera for this story since the litigation is still ongoing. The case is now before the 15th Court of Appeals in Austin. Records show Cortez removed himself from the appeal in early October. >> Now, let's do a quick thought experiment. Imagine a teacher or a nurse or a school bus driver. The state regulator says this person doesn't meet the standard. Does the city spend $100,000 fighting to keep them or do they say, "Yeah, that's probably a problem." Police are given authority no one else gets. The power to detain, arrest, use force. That power requires higher standards, not better excuses. And when cities fight harder to protect police careers than public trust, don't act shocked when people stop believing you.