Under County Judge Patrick Deakins, and with legal strategy directed by County Attorney Brian Lester, Washington County has become a frequent party in litigation spanning FOIA violations, land-use disputes, jail funding fights, contracting challenges, and internal spending claims. Some of these cases have already cost taxpayers in court-ordered fees and settlements, while others remain pending in state and federal courts.
This is not commentary — it is a compiled list of filed cases and their current status so readers can review the scope of the legal battles for themselves.
What follows is the litigation record, organized by issue.
➡️ FOIA Violations and Taxpayer-Funded Losses
- 1 (2022) – Elizabeth Coger (JP) v. County Judge Joseph Wood, Quorum Ct. Members (JPs)
Breach of FOIA by County Judge re: JESAP committee meeting open to the public
Result: County Lost; Paid Plaintiff costs of $1,042.02
Washington County Circuit Court 72CV 22-2970
The County Judge illegally refused legal transparency - 2 (2023) – Elizabeth Coger (JP) v. County Judge Patrick Deakins, Quorum Ct. Members (JPs)
Breach of FOIA by County Judge
Result: County Lost / County Appealed
Washington County Circuit Court 72CV 23-728
The County Judge illegally refused legal transparency - 3 (2023) – Washington County, et al v. Coger
The County Judge appeals the lower Court ruling of breach of FOIA
Result: County Lost Appeal-Paid Plaintiff $10K+ in attorneys fees + costs
Arkansas Court of Appeals CV 23-712
The County Judge illegally refused legal transparency; the County was ordered to pay Pl $10K in attys fees after Cty appealed.
➡️ Selective CUP Enforcement Fight
- 4 (Aug 30, 2024) – Washington County v. Wedington Mine, LLC; Sailfish, LLC; Monica Terminella; & Tom Terminella
Violation of the Zoning Ordinance by operating a commercial purpose without a CUP
Result: re-opened (pending)
Washington County Circuit Court 72CV 24-3042
County seeking a permanent mandatory injunction to stop Wedington Mine, LLC from operating without a CUP
➡️ CUP Deals, Conflicts, and a $500K Settlement
- 5 (2023) – EagleCrest Recovery LLC & Conway Lakeside** LLC (both rep by Cty Judge’s ex-employer v Washington County et al
The county wrongly refused/required a CUP
Result: Plaintiff Dismissed (without County Attorney objection)
Washington County Circuit Court 72CV 23-1033
Plaintiff dismissed the case (with County Attorney approving) as the Court ruled in favor of the motion by Intervenor (Charles & Mary McKinney). ***See Patrick Deakins Deposition dated Oct 2, 2024. - 6 (2024) – Conway Lakeside**, LLC et al. v Washington County, et al
EagleCrest Recovery LLC & Conway Lakeside** LLC (both rep by Cty Judge’s ex-employer)
County discriminated against Plaintiffs (FHA/ADA)-w/CUP
Result: $500K Settlement paid to Pl-Dec 2025
US Dist Ct-Western Dist of AR 5:24-cv-05249-TLB
The County Attorney acted in agreement with the Plaintiff, agreeing to prem. injunction against County & said County discriminated against Pl (under FHA/ADA)-see Court transcript*. The judge did not allow Intervenor, althoough Court agreed there was no conflict in this case as the County Attorney conceded fault from the beginning (leaving the County without an advocate). The forced $500K settlement was the result of mediation, not a court ruling. - 7 (2025) – Conway Lakeside**, LLC et al. v Washington County, et al
Charles McKinney and Mary McKinney (Intervenors)
Intervenor Appealed Dismissal of Case on County wrongly refusing CUP
Result: Pending
Arkansas Court of Appeals CV 25-294 (of Washington County Circuit Court 72CV 23-1033)
Intervenors appealed the ruling allowing the plaintiff to dismiss the case (w/Cty Atty approving) & other issues as the Court had previously ruled in favor of the Motion by Intervenor (Charles & Mary McKinney).
Note:
An issue of concern but never addressed in these suits is the fact that, under the Arkansas Secretary of State business filings, no such legal LLC is operating in AR–there is a “Conway Lakeview, LLC” organized by this same law firm.
In reading Patrick Deakins’ deposition from Oct 2024, the reader will gather interesting information and conflicting facts–such as Deakins claimed he was not aware of the County enforcing CUPs with legal action–even though he had sued Tom Terminella two months earlier for the same.
➡️ Illegal Dissolution of Independent Board:
- 8 (2025) – Kelsey Boggan, Bar President; Washington Cty Bar v Patrick Deakins, Cty Judge, Catherine Baker, Cameron Baker, Amy Driver
The County Judge illegally dissolved the Washington County Bar Library and is unlawfully spending its $500K fund.
Result: Pending
Washington County Circuit Court 72CV 25-4761
The Washington County Bar is suing Deakins for illegally dissolving the County Law Library & illegally taking its $500K
➡️ Illegal Use of Covid $$$ to Expand the Jail = $19MM project:
- 9 (2024) – The Liberty Initiative, Inc., dba AR Justice Reform Coalition v Washington County
Unlawful use of ’21-’22 Covid $ for jail construction; & discrimination by refusing $290 app (women) but approving Returning Home (men)
Result: Dismissed March 2025 for lack of standing & Covid $ not tax $.
US Dist Ct-Western Dist of AR 5:24-cv-5120-TLB
Federal Judge Tim Brooks dismissed the case for Pl’s lack of standing, and Covid $ are not tax dollars. - 10 (Dec 16, 2025) – Frank McConnell Mayfield III v Washington County, et al (24 Contractors & John Does on Construction of jail)
illegal-exaction: expending public funds to expand the Washington County Jail
Result: Removed to the Federal Court
Washington County Circuit Court 72CV 25-5697
Moved to the Federal Court before Judge Brooks by County - 11 (Jan 20, 2026) – Frank McConnell Mayfield III v Washington County, et al (24 Contractors & John Does on Construction of jail)
illegal-exaction: expending public funds to expand the Washington County Jail
Result: Pending
US Dist Ct-Western Dist of AR 5:26-cv-05017-TLB
Moved from Circuit Court
➡️ Illegal Use of Taxpayer/Grant Funds Without Correct Bidding Process
- 12 (2025) – Sarah Moore & The Liberty Initiative, Inc. dba AR Justice Reform Coalition v Patrick Deakins, W Cty, Returning Home, Inc.
To block funding to Returning Home under a Memo of Understanding as outside legal Contracting by the County Judge
Result: Removed to the Federal Court
Washington County Circuit Court 72CV 25-1761
Moved to the Federal Court by the County - 13 (2025) – Sarah Moore v Deakins, et al
To block funding to Returning Home under a Memo of Understanding as outside legal Contracting by the County Judge
Result: Pending
US Dist Ct-Western Dist of AR 5:25-cv-05123-TLB
Motions Pending before Judge T Brooks; https://dockets.justia.com/docket/arkansas/arwdce/5:2025cv05123/74451#:~:text=Filing%2028%20MEMORANDUM%20BRIEF%20in,Comstock. Washington County funded an additional $500K on Oct 12, 2025, despite pending suit: https://www.nwahomepage.com/knwa/washington-county-allocates-500k-to-returning-home-program/
➡️ Internal County Claims Filed by County Judge
- 14 (2025) – CC2025-19-PD v Sheriff Office
Patrick Deakins, County Judge v Sheriff’s Office
Illegal purchase of equipment by employees - 15 (2025) – CC2025-23-PD v Tax Assessor
Patrick Deakins, County Judge v Russell Hill, Tax Assessor
Illegal use of Cty Funds for gifts, etc., for non-profits - 16 (2025) – CC2025-26-PD v Sheriff Off
Patrick Deakins, County Judge v Sheriff’s Office
Unreported gifts to employees & Elected officials - 17 (2025) – CC2025-27-PD v Sheriff Off
Patrick Deakins, County Judge v Sheriff’s Office
Unreported gifts to County Offices from Vendors
This list reflects multiple ongoing legal disputes involving Washington County across transparency, land use, contracting, and internal financial matters.
Several cases remain pending in state and federal courts.
As with our previous reporting, this article compiles publicly available filings so readers can review the scope of litigation for themselves.
Early voting for the Washington County judge races begins February 17. Election Day is March 3.
