Bexar County Ombudsman Report Details Termination of Jim Lefko Under Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai
Jim Lefko, Communications Director for Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai, was fired December 8, 2025 following a formal administrative investigation into communications that began during coverage of the proposed Spurs arena project known as Project Marvel.
The signed December 3, 2025 report by Bexar County Ombudsman Allison Highley outlines meetings, emails, and admissions that preceded his removal — findings that were not publicly disclosed when Lefko’s departure was first announced.
The investigation became public on February 12, 2026, after the San Antonio Express-News obtained the administrative summary through a public information request and contacted the Publisher of the San Antonio Observer.
The signed Ombudsman administrative summary appears below as the source document referenced in this report.
Origin of Contact and Civic Context
The communications outlined in the investigation began during coverage of Project Marvel — the proposed Spurs arena development and related ballot measures, including Propositions A and B — which were among the most significant civic issues in Bexar County during the 2025 election cycle.
The San Antonio Observer has been vocal in its opposition to Project Marvel since its unveiling in November 2024. County Judge Peter Sakai, who was previously pro Marvel, has now publicly criticized the project, stating that it will do “nothing for the East Side.”
Communications and Escalation
Jim Lefko initiated contact with the San Antonio Observer in July 2025 regarding Eastside development and Project Marvel coverage.
Following the first meeting on July 24, 2025, communications continued in an effort to lobby each party regarding their respective positions on Project Marvel.
Over time, those communications, which began in the context of policy discussion, shifted in tone.
During the administrative review, Lefko stated that he often meets women for drinks at night without others present and considers such meetings part of his job, adding that he prefers to meet alone because group settings create a different dynamic.
The Ombudsman’s findings also reference prior credible information that Lefko had commented on a Bexar County employee’s physical appearance and invited her to attend a sporting event alone. That matter did not result in a formal complaint.
The administrative summary notes that independently obtained information was consistent with concerns about initiating social plans with women met through work.
How the Investigation Was Initiated
Once communications shifted from public policy discussions to references to “dolled up pics” and being a “bachelor for the weekend,” Waseem Ali, President and CEO of the San Antonio Observer sent an email to Jim Lefko on November 7, 2025, requesting comment on planned coverage and raising concerns about professional boundaries.
Ali forwarded that email to Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert, who then forwarded it to Judge Peter Sakai.
On November 25, 2025, the Office of the County Judge formally requested assistance from the Bexar County Ombudsman’s Office.
Ombudsman Allison Highley completed the investigation on December 3, and five days later, on December 8, Jim Lefko was terminated.
No one at the San Antonio Observer was informed that an ombudsman review had been initiated or completed, nor that the termination was connected to the November 7 email.
That connection became clear only after the San Antonio Express-News obtained the signed administrative summary through a public information request and contacted the San Antonio Observer prior to publication on February 12, 2026.
Public Response and Political Framing
In comments to the San Antonio Express-News, Matthew Polanco, Chief of Staff to Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai, stated that the Judge “does not tolerate this type of behavior” and that the matter was addressed appropriately once concerns were brought forward.
Following the publication of the Express-News story, in a public Facebook comment Gloria Ray, District 2 Alamo Colleges Board Trustee, wrote:
“NEVER, EVER vote for a candidate who has to rely on negative ‘hit pieces’ against their opponent. Run on your own record of accomplishments. Dirty politics bespeaks character. Judge Sakai has shown himself to be HONORABLE and above reproach.”
Gloria Ray’s comment referenced the recent reporting by the San Antonio Express-News on the Ombudsman investigation and the firing of Lefko, coverage that surfaced shortly before early voting began in the Democratic primary for Bexar County judge, where incumbent Judge Peter Sakai is challenged by former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg.
The signed Ombudsman administrative summary reflects that the review was formally requested by the Office of Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai on November 25, 2025 and completed December 3 — five days before Lefko’s termination on December 8.
The findings were documented and signed more than two months before the report became public.
The signed administrative summary included below reflects the formal review conducted by the Bexar County Ombudsman’s Office.
Public Record — Full Document Below
Taxpayer-funded government does not operate in silence. As with most public offices, the termination of a senior staff member to an elected official is considered a matter of public interest, regardless of the reason or circumstances.
Project Marvel involved significant engagement from the Spurs organization and the office of County Judge Peter Sakai. Jim Lefko, a former staff member in the Judge’s office, which played a role in media outreach and lobbying efforts related to the project.
The complete signed Ombudsman administrative summary appears below for review.
