Pasadena Assistant Police Chief James Holt defends his nearly 30 years of service to the city, calling criticism of his appointment a one-sided campaign of misinformation as he awaits the outcome of pending litigation.

PASADENA, Texas - Pasadena's Civil Service Commission won't investigate whether Assistant Police Chief James Holt was legally eligible for the job, but a lawsuit challenging his appointment is moving forward.

Five lieutenants are asking a judge to determine whether Holt was eligible for the assistant chief position after leaving the police department to become Mayor Thomas Schoenbein's chief of staff.


The commission did not explain why it chose not to investigate the appointment. Chair Blair McClure declined to do an interview with us or give comment.

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Holt defended his record with the department while declining to discuss the specifics of the pending litigation.

 As you know, with the pending litigation, I'm not allowed to answer any specific questions, but what I will tell you that, you know I've served the city admirably and continuously in our police department for nearly three decades. Up until this point, this has been a one sided campaign of misinformation and we're excited for the facts to come out and for the truth to come,  Holt said.

Pasadena Police Chief Raul Granados also expressed support for Holt, describing the allegations and criticism surrounding the appointment as a campaign against the assistant chief.

 I stand with Assistant Chief Holt. Okay, this has been a terrible campaign against him. We know that the facts are going to come out, and this is an opportunity for the, this is the beginning of that,  Granados said.

Granados added that Holt's years of service were not in question.

 He has served this department for 30 years admirably and continuously, and that is not a question,  Granados said.

Attorney says commission had authority to investigate

Scott Poerschke, the attorney representing the five
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