Source reporting: Dallas Express
The State of Texas is seeking $787,872.77 from a nonprofit ministry led by Fort Worth City Council Member Chris Nettles after state administrators disallowed expenses under a federal child nutrition program, according to the Dallas Express.
The Attorney General's Office filed suit on behalf of the Texas Department of Agriculture on August 6 in Travis County district court. The petition names Purpose Driven Ministries and identifies Nettles as a defendant. The state's repayment claim for the disputed amount is directed at the nonprofit, and it also seeks interest, attorney fees, investigative expenses and court costs.
The Agriculture Department administers the federally funded Child and Adult Care Food Program in Texas. Participating child-care centers, adult day-care centers, after-school programs and other eligible providers may receive reimbursement for qualifying meals and snacks.
According to the state's petition, an administrative review resulted in adverse action against Purpose Driven Ministries and a demand that it return the disallowed expenses. The nonprofit had an opportunity to contest the demand through an administrative hearing. The state says the review upheld the department's determination and that the debt was referred for collection after the organization failed to pay.
Those statements are allegations in a civil filing. The district court has not entered a judgment establishing that Purpose Driven Ministries owes the requested amount, and the petition does not establish personal wrongdoing by Nettles.
Documents filed with the lawsuit show that Nettles signed a permanent program agreement as the ministry's director in October 2018. The organization's website identifies him as its founder and senior pastor. His official city biography also states that he has owned and operated Haven of Purpose Childcare Center since 2014.
The Dallas Express reported that a search of the state child-care database did not return a current entry for the center as of August 30. Purpose Driven Ministries also did not appear on the Agriculture Department's current sponsor list. Those records do not explain when or why the organization's listed status changed.
A political challenger raised related transparency questions during an August 25 City Council meeting, including whether Nettles' city biography or financial disclosures need clarification. That request is an advocacy position and does not prove misconduct. Nettles did not respond to the publisher's questions before publication.
The case presents a direct public-integrity issue because it involves the attempted recovery of government-administered nutrition funds and an organization led by a sitting elected official. Court filings, program records and any response from the defendants will be necessary to distinguish the state's allegations from facts ultimately established in court.