JUDGE RULES IN FAVOR OF HOPE RISING, DISMISSES ALL CLAIMS BY TERMINATED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  

A local court has ruled in favor of an anti-human sex trafficking organization based in Washington County, following the termination of its executive director last year.

According to a press release from Hope Rising, the 335^th District Court in Washington County determined on March 1^st that former Hope Rising executive director Sherri Clement had “no standing” to bring her action that she filed in the name of Hope Rising.

The court also dismissed Clement’s claims that she filed against Hope Rising board members personally and their attorney, Tracey Conwell.  These claims were dismissed with prejudice to her ever filing again.

Clement was terminated as executive director of Hope Rising on August 21^st, and Lidya Kushner was named interim executive director.  According to Pastor Tim Webb, Hope Rising’s board chairman, Clement has “continued presenting herself as if she had the authority to speak for Hope Rising, and keep any of the business property and animals belonging to Hope Rising.”

Hope Rising’s attorney presented the court with an over 300-page report detailing—according to the release—Clement’s “mismanagement in every aspect of Hope Rising’s organization, as well as her violations of duty and trust.”  The release also states that after Clement’s termination, she “fraudulently applied to the Texas Secretary of State to change the name of Hope Rising Foundation, Inc. into her newly established foundation.”

Hope Rising is pursuing legal redress for the assets, animals, online accounts and social media that the organization says Clement took in personal possession upon her termination and has not yet returned.

The organization says it has made progress in strengthening the organization and its programs, as well as developing its Stabilization and Assessment Center for minor survivors of sex trafficking in New Caney, over the past six months.