Lawsuit alleged breach of confidentiality, other actions by the newspaper

Gary Bradley, one of the most controversial figures in both Texas politics and real estate development, has reached a settlement in a federal lawsuit filed against Gatehouse Media, the former ownership group of the Austin American-Statesman.

The confidential settlement involved a letter from Gatehouse Media to Bradley apologizing for the misunderstanding resulting in an invoice being misdirected to Riverbend Church. As a result, Bradley, represented in the case by attorneys with Weisbart Springer Storm Hatchitt, has dismissed his lawsuit.

“I think it is fair to say that anyone who has lived in this area for any length of time knows that the American-Statesmen and its editorial leadership villainized me for years in order to create controversy and sell more newspapers,” says Bradley. “The paper subjected me as well as my family, friends, and employees to decades of articles and accusations that have proven to be categorically false. It’s one thing to report the news but it’s quite another for editors to pursue a personal vendetta, even referring to me as ‘Public Enemy No. 1.’”

Bradley says he believes the lawsuit revealed a pattern of vindictive behavior by the press and that he holds the media responsible for years of litigation and judicial scrutiny against him. He believes that coverage led to seven years of investigations and accusations by the FBI and Internal Revenue Service, despite no credible evidence of wrongdoing, and ultimately full exoneration. Throughout that time Bradley consistently said he was not going to quit until he was vindicated, not so much for himself, but more for the people who he loves and who believed in him.

Although Bradley was criticized by radical environmentalists for his large-scale real estate developments in environmentally sensitive areas such as Circle C Ranch, he was commended by mainstream environmentalists and regulatory authorities for his exceptional efforts to set new standards in terms of environmental protection and enhanced aesthetics.

Bradley is well known for his philanthropic and civic contributions to Central Texas. He donated the land and funding to help Dr. Gerald Mann realize his dream of Riverbend Church, which enjoyed enormous success under his leadership.

“Riverbend is like so many other causes in which I’ve been involved,” Bradley says. “Leadership is everything. I was glad I had the idea to start Trinity Episcopal School, but it was Headmaster Jane Hill who made it happen.”

The same can be said for his involvement in developing the first nationally recognized Children's Advocacy Center in Austin, which its director Sandra Martin made so successful that it has been duplicated in virtually every major city in America. Also, the state’s first educational foundation was created with Bradley’s support for the benefit of the Hays Independent School District, led by Laurie Cromwell. There are now hundreds of such foundations across the state.

When asked what he is now focusing on, his responses became much more upbeat, as he described his renewed involvement in efforts to address the dire situations facing Texans, especially as it relates to traffic congestion and ever-worsening drought conditions. Bradley is also working on major initiatives to address affordable housing and homelessness in Austin.

When asked what he had learned through this 20-year legal ordeal, Bradley’s simple answer was, “forgiveness.”

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