Former Magnolia Human Resources Director Kristy Powell is suing the city and Mayor Matthew “Doc” Dantzer, alleging she was retaliated against after reporting what the lawsuit describes as an October 2025 incident involving the city secretary during a Texas Municipal League conference in Fort Worth.
The federal lawsuit, filed March 17 in the Southern District of Texas, names the city of Magnolia and Dantzer as defendants.
What you need to know
In her original complaint, Powell said she was hired by the city in July 2024 and promoted to HR director in October 2024. Powell alleges that after she investigated and terminated two city employees in 2025, both of whom she said were close friends of Dantzer, she began facing retaliation, exclusion from meetings and other hostile behavior.
The lawsuit centers on an incident Powell said was reported to her by the Magnolia city secretary after an Oct. 29, 2025, dinner during the Texas Municipal League conference.
According to the lawsuit, City Secretary Christian Gable told Powell that Dantzer made inappropriate sexual comments to her on the walk back to the hotel, and inappropriate physical advances. The complaint states Dantzer later sent Gable a text apologizing.
Powell alleges she immediately reported the incident to then-City Administrator Chris Whittaker, and that both she and the city secretary later submitted written reports requesting whistleblower protection in early November.
According to the complaint, Whittaker told Powell the city would hire third-party investigators to look into the matter. The city then approved hiring a third-party investigator during a November 2025 meeting, according to a previous City Council agenda.
The Texas Rangers now have an active and ongoing investigation, said Sheridan Nolen, press secretary for the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Diving deeper
Powell claims that after the report was made, Dantzer and others retaliated against her through ostracizing, harassment, manufactured performance complaints and exclusion from city business.
The lawsuit also alleges two city employees, including Whittaker, told Powell that Dantzer said he was “going after” her and the city secretary, and wanted to terminate their employment.
According to the complaint, Powell submitted her resignation Nov. 18, 2025, while offering to stay through Dec. 31 to help transition her role and assist with the investigation. She alleges Whittaker later told her on Nov. 24 that her resignation was being accepted effective immediately.
The suit brings claims under federal civil rights law and the Texas Whistleblower Act. Powell alleges she was constructively discharged in retaliation for protected speech and for reporting alleged violations of law. She is seeking damages, attorney fees, court costs and other relief.
What they’re saying
Over the past 12 months, Dantzer has been absent during five City Council meetings, according to city records. Most recently, Dantzer did not attend the meetings from October to December and missed the two most recent March meetings.
Mayor Pro Tem Jack L. Huitt Jr. said the mayor pro tempore and other council members are assisting in performing the mayor’s duties during Dantzer’s absence.
He also said the city “is continuing to function” and is conducting a search for a city administrator.
The council was slated to meet at a special meeting March 31 to vote on approving Gable to work from home. However, the lack of a quorum ended the meeting.
In response, Huitt said council members are volunteers, and that work delays and out-of-town travel affected attendance.
What’s next
Court records show the case was assigned civil action number 4:26-cv-02138. An initial pretrial and scheduling conference is set for June 12 at 11 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal by video.
The next regular Magnolia City Council meeting is April 14.
Community Impact reached out to all Magnolia City Council members and the city attorney for additional comment but did not hear back prior to press time.
