KYLE, Texas – The City of Kyle announced Thursday Police Chief Jeff Barnett has returned to duty after being placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation. Kyle police union president Jesse Espinoza has been suspended indefinitely.
According to a press release, Barnett was placed on leave May 6 due to an ongoing civil service matter. A press release from the city states the city manager placed Barnett on leave due to his involvement in the matter but that Barnett was not the subject of the investigation.
In February, a KVUE Defenders investigation uncovered Dr. Glen Hurlston sued the city and Barnett, claiming Barnett illegally had him arrested in 2012 because he was having an affair with his wife. According to the lawsuit, Barnett orchestrated the arrest of Hurlston, the husband of the woman he was having an affair with, in January 2012 by using his connections in Princeton, near Dallas, where he had been chief before coming to Kyle.
The investigation into Espinoza stemmed from Hurlston admitting he gave Espinoza $5,000. Hurlston testified as part of a deposition in that suit that he and Espinoza had become friends and that he gave the money to him to help with cancer treatments for his son.
Espinoza, who was placed on administrative leave in February, could appeal his suspension. He has been on the force for nine years and denies any wrongdoing.
