How Your ‘Beloved’ Former County Judge Nelson Wolff and His Rich Friends Profited from Covid-19 To Boost Their Business
A court case in Texas confirms what many already believe: the system is rigged. It shows how political connections meant to help the public are being used to make the rich even richer.
During COVID-19, public money and health resources were funneled to wealthy donors and nonprofit boards filled with millionaires—leaving minority communities with the worst access and highest death rates.
This lawsuit highlights a bigger issue across Texas and the nation: the powerful using money and influence to silence small businesses and everyday people. It’s not just corruption—it’s about control, greed.
What’s Happening in the Courts?
Houston-based MRG Medical is suing the Texas Tribune and ProPublica over an article they say misled readers and harmed their business. The article suggested a conflict of interest between MRG and Commissioner Tommy Calvert during COVID-19 testing contracts. MRG argues the article falsely implied financial misconduct, even though Calvert served on an unpaid advisory board.
The reporters mentioned Calvert attending dinners and the Kentucky Derby with MRG’s CEO, but left out that he showed proof he paid for his own travel and meals.
According to court documents, the 353rd District Court judge noted, “People are free to go on trips with contractors,” and questioned the article’s relevance after reporters had been shown proof that Calvert paid his own way, stating, “It wasn’t illegal for him to go to the Kentucky Derby if… he paid his entire trip himself.”
Texas Tribune Donation List. Pg 141 | RIGHT: Nelson Wolff, Graham Weston, Bruce Bugg Jr., and J. Tullos Wells, and their respective involvement.
Court documents say the Tribune and ProPublica admitted to “willful and intentional interference” (also known as conspiracy) against MRG Medical, allegedly to protect wealthy donors from testifying. While a District Court ruled MRG had enough evidence to proceed, an appeals court dismissed the case. Now, it’s headed to the Texas Supreme Court, where MRG is seeking a full review to defend small businesses from unfair treatment by powerful media and political forces.
Keeping Up with Transparency: The Big Bad Wolff
This lawsuit reveals a web of financial ties between the Texas Tribune, Community Labs, the Tobin Foundation, and the Tobin Endowment—groups that allegedly gained from the fallout of a 2020 article.
At the center is former Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, accused of orchestrating a scheme to divert millions in COVID-19 public funds to Community Labs, a politically connected nonprofit. The suit claims Wolff used his emergency authority during the pandemic to steer taxpayer money to Community Labs—just days after damaging media coverage targeted its competitor, MRG Medical.
However, Community Labs wasn’t just any vendor. It was co-founded by Bruce Bugg, Chairman of the Tobin Endowment and the founding chair of the Tobin Center’s Board.
Court records show the Tobin Foundation donated $1.5 million to the Texas Tribune, and its current and former leaders who also co-founded Community Labs.
Other co-founders include J. Tullos Wells and Graham Weston—both Tobin board members. Weston, who co-founded the San Antonio Report (not a defendant), republished the Tribune article featuring Calvert’s photo. This story was broadcasted out by nonprofit news outlets—Texas Tribune, ProPublica, and the San Antonio Report—all generously backed by wealthy elite donors where their profit donations are tax write-offs.
The media’s role is key. Less than two weeks after the article ran, Wolff and the Bexar County Commissioners Court awarded Community Labs $2 million in COVID testing contracts—later totaling over $4 million.
MRG says this wasn’t a coincidence, but a coordinated effort where political connections, nonprofit money, and media influence came together to benefit insiders and push out independent providers. Today, Nelson Wolff, according to the Tobin Center’s website, serves as co-chair of its Advisory Board—still connected to the same circles.
Context of the Big Bad Wolff
We’ve long reported on Nelson Wolff’s track record of failures and questionable actions that have hurt—not helped—the community he claims to serve. For years, Wolff and his wife have used public projects like “BiblioTech” or historic restorations as symbolic gestures to distract from the real harm happening behind the scenes.
In 2014, The San Antonio Observer called out Wolff for ignoring a qualified Black candidate for County Commissioner—a seat Tommy Calvert ultimately won, becoming the youngest and first African-American Commissioner in Bexar County. In 2018, we exposed Wolff’s long pattern of excluding Black leadership from public institutions. And in 2022, we reported on his political negligence in election oversight, including his failure to hold Elections Administrator Jacquelyn Callanen accountable after she defied a judge’s order—disenfranchising voters, especially voters of color.
It’s time the community stops giving him a pass. It’s time for all local media to be transparent and unbiased. And it’s time to move on from politicians like Nelson Wolff, who use public service to enrich themselves, their families, and their inner circle.
Holding Our Politicians Accountable
Though Nelson Wolff is now “retired,” his influence still looms—through nonprofit boards and public tributes. Statues of Wolff and his wife, Tracy, stand at San Pedro Creek Culture Park, honoring their ‘legacy.’ But for many still fighting for equity, transparency, and accountability, that legacy deserves a closer look.
In a time when trust in journalism and government is fading—thanks to rising corruption, bias, and backroom deals (such as this case)—this Texas Supreme Court case goes beyond a dispute between politicians and businesses. It’s about the systemic suppression of voices that dare to challenge them.
We must hold our peers, our politicians, and the media accountable—not only to preserve journalistic integrity, but to protect and uphold the rest of the good democracy has to offer.
