Illegal annexation — a 14-year pattern
In 2008, the City of Wilmer attempted to illegally annex 25+ landowners with zero notice. Resident Carol Estes challenged it in court and won. Those who couldn't afford an attorney were absorbed anyway.
In 2022, under the same leadership — Jeff Steele and Michael Halla — the city tried again, this time targeting 150+ landowners. No letters were sent, no newspaper notice published, no attempt made to notify residents who had lived in Dallas County their entire lives. A whistleblower exposed the plan through Wilmer's own online meeting agenda. Some residents had as few as 48 hours to find an attorney. Elderly residents on private water wells were told they would be taxed by a city that provided them no services.
Robert Miklos (now at K&L Gates, 214-939-5500) appeared at city council on behalf of landowners and filed suit the same night.
City attorney Michael Halla convicted of felony homicide
Soon to be Former city attorney Michael Boice Halla was convicted on two counts of criminally negligent homicide (3rd-degree felony) in the 443rd Court of Ellis County. He was driving 93 mph and killed two civilians. Halla is now a registered felon and is no longer permitted to practice law in Texas.
Prior to his conviction, in September 2022 the State Bar of Texas publicly reprimanded him for attempting to share attorney fees with a non-attorney. He had been charged with manslaughter after allegedly driving 80+ mph on his way to a Ferris city council meeting. Despite the charges, the City of Wilmer continued to contract with him — a decision that may have further exposed taxpayers to liability.
City officials sued a private citizen for defamation — and lost
Jeff Steele, Shiela Petta, Rona Stringfellow, Candi Madigral, and Michael Halla collectively sued Wilmer resident Heran Patel in his private capacity for defamation. Stringfellow and Madigral quietly dropped out before trial. On December 11, 2023, Judge Moye dismissed the case under the Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA). Jeff Steele and Shiela Petta now owe Patel $16,000 in attorney's fees.
- City Council sued him for withholding meeting agendas; restraining order filed
- Lost defamation suit vs. Heran Patel — paid $16,000 for Heran Patel's Attorney Fees
- Lost EDD RD RV Park case — contributed to $1.09M taxpayer loss
- Linked to both 2008 and 2022 illegal annexation attempts
- Convicted Dec 2024 — 2 counts of 3rd-degree felony homicide (Killed a father and son driving 93 mph crash)
- Florida State Bar suspended his license to practice law
- State Bar publicly reprimanded Sept 2022 for improper fee-sharing
- Lost EDD RD RV Park case; lost Heran Patel defamation case
- Linked to both 2008 and 2022 illegal annexation attempts
- Lost defamation suit vs. Heran Patel — paid $16,000 to Heran Patel for attorney fees
- Lost EDD RD RV Park case — part of the scheme to block development
- 5th District Court of Appeals ruling now fully concluded against her
- Fired during the EDD RD RV Park proceedings
- Dropped from Patel defamation suit before losing
- Lost EDD RD RV Park case alongside other city officials
- Previously paid $130K+/year by the city she helped steer into litigation
- Hired as part of Stringfellow's team from Lancaster
- Has since left the City of Wilmer for another position
- Was implicated in the effort to block EDD RD RV Park LLC's development
- Joined the defamation suit against Heran Patel
- Dropped out of the suit before the ruling
- Part of the group that voted for actions leading to $1.09M in losses
| Case | Year | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| EDD RD RV Park LLC v. City of Wilmer — Illegal annexation; 5th District Court of Appeals affirmed | 2022–2026 | City lost — $1.09M |
| City of Wilmer et al. v. Heran Patel — Defamation suit dismissed under Texas TCPA | 2023 | City lost — $16K |
| T. Carroll Estes v. City of Wilmer — 2008 illegal annexation challenge | 2008 | City lost |
| Bill Wickliffe et al. v. City of Wilmer — 2022 illegal annexation (150+ landowners) | 2022– | Pending |
| Chris Bridges v. City of Wilmer et al. | 2023– | Pending |
| TK Real Properties Investments v. City of Wilmer | 2023– | Pending |
| USAR LLC et al. v. City of Wilmer | 2023– | Pending |
Jeff Steele confronted over $16,000 owed to Heran Patel
After losing the defamation lawsuit, council member and ex-mayor Jeff Steele was publicly confronted about the $16,000 judgment against him. Watch his response below.
Captions available via YouTube's CC button. Contact us if you need an accessible transcript.
Ex-Mayor Jeff Steele belittles mobile home owners on camera
In this recording, ex-Mayor Jeff Steele makes a fool of himself by mocking and belittling mobile home owners in Wilmer — the very residents he was elected to serve.
Captions available via YouTube's CC button. Contact us if you need an accessible transcript.
"I do it for the people."
Wilmer taxpayers deserve to know where their money goes. If you have tips, documents, or information about city misconduct, reach out.
