Several Jeff Davis County officials have posed for photos promoting an anonymously operated smear site — BigBendTimes.org — and have shared it on Facebook. While these photos were not tied to the site’s latest attack piece, their public promotion of the outlet lends credibility to its false and defamatory narratives.
The smear site recently issued a political endorsement for attorney of in his run for Judge of Comal County Court at Law #1. Barr represents Jeff Davis County in a baseless criminal case against journalist David Flash. While the site claims its endorsement was made without Barr’s knowledge, the fact remains that this anonymously operated page, already backed by sitting county officials, is actively working to boost his candidacy.
In its endorsement post, the smear site launches into an ad hominem attack on Flash, calling his work “AI slop” and “grudge articles.” Suggesting his articles are nothing more than “grudge pieces” — a common smear used against investigative reporters — is especially ironic considering that the entire premise of their anonymously operated site is publishing grudge-driven attacks.
The site’s claim that Jeff Davis County officials “all recused themselves” from prosecuting Flash is also misleading. Officials did not step aside voluntarily out of ethical duty — they were forced to recuse because they were named in active civil claims filed months before the citation and harassment case began.
Barr’s willingness to accept a contract to prosecute a journalist under these circumstances raises legitimate ethical questions. And the nature of the local officials publicly promoting the smear site speaks volumes about the political environment in which he has chosen to campaign.
Texas Reporter 