The State of Texas vs. Brian Muecke: A Call to Action for SBISD
Dear Spring Branch ISD Community,
I’m Matthew Cone, a dedicated advocate committed to restoring integrity to our school district since my 2024 run for the SBISD School Board. Today, I bring you a critical update: Brian Muecke and SaveSBISD face a Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) investigation for their illegal actions against me and our community. This email traces the journey from their initial attacks to the troubling cover-up by Muecke’s allies on the board and administration. I urge you to join me in securing honest elections and a brighter future for our children.
The Beginning: A Smear Campaign Undermines Our Schools
My decision to run for the SBISD School Board in 2024 was driven by a desire to serve, but I was unprepared for the corrupt tactics that surfaced. An anonymous website, SaveSBISD.org, launched a vicious smear campaign against me, spreading defamatory lies and creating an intimidating atmosphere that jeopardizes our children’s well-being. As an advocate attuned to our district’s needs, I saw this as a threat to education, later confirmed by TEA test score shortfalls and the district’s accountability rating plummeting to a “C” level in the latest report cards, including Memorial High School’s drop from an “A” to a “B.” These setbacks show how political interference has overshadowed our kids’ learning, striking at the heart of our elections and student safety.
Further investigation revealed SaveSBISD operated as an unregistered Political Action Committee (PAC) since June 2021, flouting Texas campaign finance laws by failing to register with the TEC. They distributed yard signs without “Paid for by” disclosures and sent mass text blasts to over 5,000 people urging a “vote no” against me, all unreported. These violations of Texas Election Code sections 252.001, 253.031, and 255.001 highlight a deliberate effort to undermine our district’s integrity. The resulting harm to our children’s education demands action—our community deserves leaders who put kids first.
Uncovering the Culprit: Exposing Brian Muecke’s Deceit
As an advocate unwilling to let dishonesty prevail, I took decisive action by filing a defamation lawsuit in August 2024 against the anonymous blog (Matthew Cone v. John Doe, Cause No. 2024-52944, 189th Judicial District, Harris County, Texas). After three months of legal battles, my attorneys at Scheef & Stone, LLP, used subpoenaed records to unmask the operator: Brian Muecke, former Mayor of Hedwig Village and self-proclaimed “Director of the Villages Intelligence Agency.” When he published his articles, I recognized that the individuals behind SaveSBISD were willing to lie and break laws to control SBISD, solidifying my destiny to expose them rather than win the board race. What’s truly shocking is that Muecke, already known to us as a co-chair of the SBISD School Finance Advocacy Team, was simultaneously running this illegal PAC, abusing his trusted position to orchestrate this deception. Standing with the people, I uncovered the depth of his betrayal.
Subpoenaed financial records confirmed Muecke funded SaveSBISD activities from June 2021 to June 2024 with his credit card, cementing his role in this deception. He didn’t act alone, enlisting David Slattery as a candidate and relying on Jessica Colon, Ashley Zahn, and Emily Sperandio to execute the smear tactics.
Broader Corruption: Insiders Compromise Our Governance
The corruption extended beyond Muecke, implicating SBISD insiders. I discovered unethical conduct by Board President Lisa Alpe and Vice President Courtney Anderson, who leaked privileged communications between a board member and Superintendent Jennifer Blaine. This breach occurred during a private meeting with parents to sway a vote, with the same information passed to Muecke and Sperandio to intimidate a trustee. Both Alpe and Anderson supported Slattery’s campaign, raising serious doubts about their leadership.
These actions may violate the Texas Open Meetings Act and laws against misuse of office, deepening the erosion of trust in our district’s governance. With leadership setting this tone, we must question: Are these the stewards we want for our schools?
Taking Action: Pursuing Accountability
My defamation lawsuit set out to establish a precedent, ensuring illegal tactics face consequences and future SBISD elections remain fair. It’s unjust for anyone to hide behind anonymity to spread falsehoods and manipulate our district—Muecke and his allies did exactly that, aware that exposure would bring repercussions, as I’ve shared on my website (matthewtcone.com) and X posts (@MattConeTX). As your advocate, I’ve stood firm to protect our community’s voice.
A Turning Point: The TEC Investigation Gains Momentum
The tide turned on June 2, 2025, when a Texas Ethics Commission complaint was filed against Muecke and SaveSBISD (SC-32505243), signaling a pivotal moment in our fight for justice. This investigation targets his violations of the Texas Election Code—operating an unregistered PAC, funding unreported text blasts and yard signs, and publishing non-compliant political ads. Muecke has 10 business days to respond and must preserve all records, placing him under intense scrutiny. The process is advancing, and his attendance at the June 9 board meeting, his continued presence, hints at his ongoing influence despite these allegations.
Uncovering the Cover-Up: A Demand for Board Action
This investigation uncovers more than Muecke’s actions—it exposes a potential cover-up by his allies on the SBISD board and administration. Trustees like Courtney Anderson and David Slattery, alongside administrators who backed his smear campaign, may be protecting him to safeguard their own positions, allowing his continued role as co-chair of the School Finance Advocacy Team (SFAT). This position provides access to insider information, which he allegedly used to intimidate trustees and divert focus from our children’s education, as evidenced by TEA test score declines and the district’s “C” rating. His solitary presence at the recent board meeting heightens concerns about his influence and the safety of trustees not aligned with him, especially given hints of past coercion.
I urge the SBISD Board of Trustees to issue a public statement condemning Muecke’s actions with SaveSBISD and acknowledging this cover-up. His immediate removal from SFAT is vital to end his undue influence, and his access to SBISD employees must be limited to a normal parental role to prevent further exploitation. The board must act swiftly to safeguard our students’ education, protect our governance’s integrity, and shield trustees from pressure. This is essential to rebuild trust and prioritize our children’s future.
This probe could reveal a wider network of corruption involving Slattery, Anderson, Alpe, Zahn, Sperandio, and SBISD administrators who allegedly worked with Muecke, leaking sensitive data to manipulate decisions. If substantiated, these acts could lead to civil penalties, public accountability, or criminal referrals, holding those who sacrificed integrity accountable.
New Concerns: Risks of Obstruction
A pressing question remains: Could Muecke leverage his ties to State Rep. Mano DeAyala to hinder the TEC investigation? Evidence from my lawsuit shows he engaged Buck Keenan LLP, DeAyala’s law firm, to block a subpoena for his Verizon Wireless phone records (filed February 28, 2025, in Harris County’s 189th Judicial District). As a senior partner and state representative, DeAyala’s potential involvement raises ethical red flags, though no direct proof connects him yet.
Call to Action: Demand Transparency
The actions of SaveSBISD and this TEC investigation expose a dire need for accountability in SBISD governance. Our children’s education has suffered from these distractions and the alleged cover-up, reflected in TEA test score shortfalls and the district’s “C” rating, including Memorial High School’s fall from an “A” to a “B.” With Muecke’s recent board appearance and persistent SFAT role, the urgency to prioritize our kids’ future is greater than ever. I call on you to stand with me.
Please email your SBISD board members today and ask:
– Who has undue influence over your decisions?
– Does Brian Muecke influence your decision-making?
– Will the board issue a statement on Muecke’s role, remove him from SFAT, and address the cover-up?
Your voice matters—hold them accountable for our district’s integrity. Contact them at:
– Shannon Mahan (President, Position 2): shannon.mahan@
– Caroline Bennett (Vice President, Position 7): caroline.bennett@
– Walker Agnew, Jr. (Secretary, Position 6): walker.agnew@springbranchisd.
– Courtney Anderson (Trustee, Position 1): courtney.anderson@
– David Slattery (Trustee, Position 3): david.slattery@
– Chris Earnest (Trustee, Position 4): chris.earnest@
– Jennifer Hyland (Trustee, Position 5): jennifer.hyland@
– Stacy Kim (Executive Assistant): stacy.kim@
For more details, visit https://www.
Together, we can shield Spring Branch ISD from those who prioritize personal agendas over our children’s future. The truth will hold Muecke and his allies accountable, and with the TEC investigation progressing, we’re nearing justice. Let’s ensure SBISD elections are honest and fair—our community deserves no less.
God Bless America and God Bless Spring Branch,
Matthew Cone
June 19, 2025
Email: Matt@MatthewTCone.com
Website: matthewtcone.com
X: @MattConeTX
