Soros-Backed Austin DA Faces Backlash Over Secret Meetings, Alleged Evidence Tampering

Prosecutor José Garza accused of concealing negotiations with city officials to shift blame for police protest response

Apr. 5, 2026 at 4:20pm

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José Garza, the progressive district attorney in Austin backed by George Soros' political funding, is facing mounting criticism and calls for his resignation over allegations that his office concealed key information from the court and the defense in a high-profile case against a police officer. Garza is accused of orchestrating secret meetings with city officials in an apparent effort to shift legal blame away from his political allies and onto the city itself.

Why it matters

The controversy highlights growing concerns about the influence of national progressive donors and activist groups on local criminal justice policy, as well as questions about the integrity and motivations of Soros-funded prosecutors who have taken office in recent years with promises of reform but have instead been accused of undermining law enforcement and public safety.

The details

The case centers on Travis County District Attorney José Garza's yearslong pursuit of criminal charges against Austin Police Officer Chance Bretches, one of several officers who responded to the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in the city. Bretches was indicted on charges related to the police department's use of expired and allegedly defective bean bag shotgun rounds that allegedly caused injuries to protesters. However, Bretches' attorneys now allege that Garza's office concealed negotiations with city officials in which the DA offered to drop the charges against Bretches if the city would accept criminal responsibility for the faulty munitions.

  • In May 2022, Bretches was first charged with two counts of aggravated assault.
  • In March 2024, Bretches was re-indicted on two counts of aggravated assault, as well as additional counts of deadly conduct and assault.

The players

José Garza

The progressive district attorney of Travis County, Texas, who was elected in 2020 with significant financial backing from George Soros' political action committee.

Chance Bretches

An Austin police officer who was indicted by Garza's office for his role in the police response to the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in the city.

Doug O'Connell

One of the lawyers representing Officer Bretches, who has accused Garza's office of concealing key information and potentially tampering with evidence.

Robert Leonard

The executive director of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT), which has called for Garza's resignation.

Dennis Farris

The president of the Austin Police Retired Officers Association (APROA), who has also criticized Garza's handling of the case and his broader approach to prosecuting police officers.

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What they’re saying

“The elected DA here in Travis County, Texas ran on a platform of targeting and prosecuting police officers. He is a George Soros-funded official who takes orders from the Wren Collective.”

— Doug O'Connell, Attorney representing Officer Bretches

“If DA Garza has any shred of integrity left, he will resign immediately.”

— Robert Leonard, Executive Director, Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas

“This was the straw that broke the camel's back. It's the totality of everything if you go back and look at everything, the missteps this office has made in the last five years, and the fact that this community is not safe because of those missteps.”

— Dennis Farris, President, Austin Police Retired Officers Association

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Officer Bretches out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between progressive prosecutors like Garza, who have been accused of pursuing an ideological agenda against law enforcement, and the law enforcement community, which sees Garza's actions as undermining public safety and the rule of law. The allegations of secret meetings and potential evidence tampering have further eroded trust in Garza's office and raised questions about the influence of national progressive donors on local criminal justice policy.