Charity CEO Accused of Barratry in Lawsuit Steering

San Antonio charity executive Jason Massiatte is at the center of allegations that he exploited his role at the Hope at Heart Foundation to direct legal business to the Gamez Law Firm. The controversy arose from a wrongful death lawsuit initiated by the family of Austin Flores, who died following a workplace accident on April 4.

Initial legal representation for the Flores family was provided by Mark Braswell. Braswell accused Massiatte of improperly influencing Flores' parents to dismiss him and hire the Gamez Law Firm, which has historical ties and sponsorship history with Hope at Heart. Braswell described Massiatte's actions as "barratry disguised as charity," a serious ethical and criminal offense in Texas.

Massiatte, along with the Gamez firm and the Flores parents, has denied the allegations. They contend the family switched legal counsel due to dissatisfaction with Braswell's services. Massiatte stated his outreach was purely to offer condolences and support to the grieving family.

Despite the serious nature of the claims, the 12 board members of the Hope at Heart Foundation have not publicly addressed the allegations. Efforts by the San Antonio Express-News to solicit comment from the board members were met with silence or a cease-and-desist letter from the charity's attorney, citing excessive contact.

Legal experts emphasize that nonprofit board members have a duty of care that includes investigating serious allegations against executive leadership. Independent third-party investigations are often recommended in such situations to ensure impartiality and demonstrate accountability to stakeholders.