News · TX
Women win suit for air conditioning in Texas prisons
Public safetyThe women called the “lionesses” prevailed in a lawsuit seeking air conditioning across the Texas prison system.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 29, 2026
What the lawsuit alleges
Oak View Group has sued the City of Dallas and Dallas Park and Recreation Director John Jenkins, seeking more than over the former management arrangement for Fair Park. The demand includes in damages along with additional compensation the company says it lost.
The company alleges Dallas did not provide promised funding to revitalize Fair Park and did not fully disclose the property’s infrastructure and maintenance problems. It also claims the city reduced capital funding and left Oak View Group responsible for expenses that Dallas should have paid.
Oak View Group further alleges city officials withheld or redirected millions of dollars intended for Fair Park operations in 2024 and 2025. The company says it spent about of its own money at the property, more than tripled annual park revenue and saved Dallas’ general fund more than in operating costs. Dallas declined to comment, citing the pending case.
How the management arrangement ended
Oak View Group managed Fair Park through a subcontract with Fair Park First, the nonprofit that held the city’s management agreement. The arrangement began in 2019 and covered programming, operations and maintenance.
Dallas notified Fair Park First on June 18, 2025, that it was ending the agreement, which also ended the Oak View Group subcontract. City officials said the structure was flawed because Dallas did not have a direct contractual relationship with Oak View Group. Dallas assumed park operations in September 2025.
Other disputes and contracts
A 2024 independent audit identified about in spending that did not follow donor restrictions. Oak View Group has said it processed Fair Park First’s accounts under the nonprofit’s instructions.
Oak View Group also alleges Fair Park First withheld public money and retained funds intended for park operations. Separately, the company continues to manage the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center under a five-month contract extension authorized by the Dallas City Council.
