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E-mail This StoryA gay county employee is forced to leave his job quietly, due to a gag order required in the county’s confidentiality agreement.
Justin Nichols, Collin County Teen Court coordinator, reached a severance agreement with the county and is expected to resign no later than Aug. 1.
In March, county commissioners planned to discuss Nichols’ job status after an article stating his candidacy for the Plano City Council revealed his sexual orientation was released in a local magazine. County commissioners later dropped the item from the agenda, and never publicly discussed the issue.
“Everyone is speculating Justin’s resignation has to do with the March incident,” said Peter Schulte, Nichols’ attorney who is not bound by the gag order. “In my personal opinion it did affect his decision, but ultimately Justin was ready to move on. He was not fired. He decided to leave on his own. Everyone thinks there is a reason.”
Schulte, who has been Nichols’ attorney since the March incident, said he felt the direction the county was taken in March was unlawful.
“What’s occurring now is ancillary to that,” Schulte said. “It’s time to move on. There is no wrongdoing by either side.”
According to the severance agreement, Nichols will receive $26,500, reimbursed tuition from his Southern Methodist University law school and his unused vacation time.
The commissioners approved in a 3-1 vote to sign the agreement with Nichols.
Phyllis Cole, voted against the agreement, and said Nichols had put a lot of hard work into the teen court.
“He and Judge John Payton started the teen court 10 years or more ago in Plano and we now have the teen courts in Plano, Frisco and I believe in McKinney,” Cole said. “It’s a very good program. I wish Justin all the best and he has done an absolutely fantastic job with the teen court, in my opinion.”
Nichols said he has no future plans set, but plans to remain involved with the teen court, serving as president of the state organization of Texas.
“I have enjoyed my time at teen court,” Nichols said. “I’m very proud of the work that I’ve done. We are lucky to live in Collin County because
County judge Keith Self said he sees no reason to do away with the teen court.
Tim Wyatt, Collin County spokesman, said he has not heard any mention about a replacement for Nichols.
The commissioners appointed Nichols as the teen court coordinator in August 2006.
Contact Stephanie Flemmons at sflemmons@acnpapers.com
