Dallas Councilwoman Paula Blackmon reportedly admitted to using the city’s taxpayer-funded lobbyists to defend her private land interests in West Texas.

In an August 27 meeting, Councilman Adam Bazaldua proposed paying city lobbyist Lorena Campos $85,000 more than she had requested to close the “gender wage gap,” despite Campos not asking for the bump in salary, as The Dallas Express previously reported.

Blackmon, however, indicated that her reasons for potentially supporting the proposal may have differed from those of Bazaldua.

“She’s got a group of people – being from West Texas,” Blackmon said of Campos, raising her hand, “that she can touch because I asked her to help me with the senators, having property out there.”

“She is a value to our team, no doubt,” added Blackmon of Campos.

The council eventually shot down the pay raise 14-1, electing to move forward with Campos’ original contract, which is up to $372,000. Though ahead of the annual budget vote, members eventually slashed $339,000 in taxpayer-funded lobbying, resulting in property tax relief of $0.015 per $100 in value for residents. 

But Blackmon’s comments soon caught the public’s attention:

 

Current Revolt initially covered the issue, raising questions over accountability and conflicts of interest as they pertain to Blackmon. The Dallas County Republican Party also expressed concerns.

“That’s taxpayer money potentially being used for private gain – a clear conflict of interest under the city’s own ethics code,” the party posted to Facebook. “Dallas residents deserve accountability and transparency. Public service should never be blurred with personal benefit.”

Blackmon and Bazaldua continue to invite scrutiny, having recently barged into a meeting with homelessness advocates and several council members, claiming a violation of the Open Meetings Act, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. 

Additionally, Bazaldua recently took a trip to Japan while the council was debating next year’s budget, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. He missed the budget vote in person, instead attending virtually. At the time, City Councilwoman Cara Mendelsohn criticized the trip as a “huge contrast” with members who tried to cut waste.

This was Bazaldua’s second trip to Japan, reportedly on the taxpayer’s dime. The Dallas Express submitted a public records request for expenses associated with the trip, but has not received a response in time for publication.

The Dallas Express reached out to Blackmon’s office for comment, but did not hear back in time for publication.