Lubbock City Council Approves Administrative Leave of City Attorney Sam Medina

At a special meeting Thursday afternoon, the Lubbock City Council approved the administrative leave of City Attorney Sam Medina.

The Council spent more than an hour and a half in executive session before reconvening in open session to take a vote on approving Medina’s administrative leave, following allegations from a soon-to-be ex-daughter in law.

At a press conference on Monday afternoon, Medina asked to be placed on paid administrative leave from his position amidst allegations of sexual assault allegedly committed by Sam Medina against his eldest son Eric’s wife, Angelina Medina.

Eric and Angelina Medina are currently going through a divorce, and are reportedly embroiled in a custody battle.

No charges have been filed against Sam Medina as of yet.

District Six Councilwoman Latrelle Joy recused from the vote, as she is acting as Eric Medina’s attorney in the divorce proceedings.

The motion was made by District One Councilman Victor Hernandez, with the stipulation that the item to consider Medina’s employment status with the City of Lubbock be placed on each Council agenda beginning with their first meeting in February.

The Council approved the measure 4-1, with District Five Councilwoman Karen Gibson voting against it, and District Three Councilman Todd Klein absent. Gibson did not explain why she did not support the measure.

Lastly, the Council voted 6-1 to appoint Mitchell Satterwhite as interim city attorney in Medina’s absence.

We’ll bring you more on this story as it develops.