Williamson County drops lawsuit against Big Fish Entertainment for 'Live PD' filming

Following an executive session on Nov. 10, the Williamson County Commissioners Court voted 4-0 to end its lawsuit against Big Fish Entertainment LLC for filming “Live PD” without a valid contract.

Big Fish, which had also issued a countersuit against the county, came to an agreement with the county to stop legal action, officials said.

Commissioner Russ Boles said the court is still in talks with Sheriff Robert Chody, whom the county also sued in an individual and professional capacity for the same reason.

The court voted to sue Chody in May after he continued to allow the filming of “Live PD” following the court's cancellation of its contract in August 2019. By law, the court has full authority on entering and terminating county contracts, according to the Texas Association of Counties

Boles said the court reached the agreement after Chody lost his re-election bid for County Sheriff on Nov. 3, to which the lawsuit became moot, he said.

While the lawsuit against Big Fish has been dropped, Boles said the county still maintains a temporary injunction disallowing Chody from authorizing any “Live PD” filming through the end of the year.

The county’s new sheriff Mike Gleason will be sworn in on Jan. 1.

Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell abstained from the vote.