Texas Funeral Commission Leader Fires Staff Amid Anti-Muslim Text Scandal
State officials dismiss three employees after internal whistleblowing exposes commission chair's Islamophobic messages during mosque investigation
The Texas Funeral Service Commission has terminated its executive director and two staff attorneys following revelations that the agency's chair shared anti-Muslim graphics and inflammatory social media content while investigating a North Texas mosque, according to reports from KERA News and the Houston Chronicle. The dismissals occurred between June and July 2025 amid allegations of widespread dysfunction and potential civil rights violations within the state regulatory agency.
Inflammatory Messages Spark Civil Rights Concerns
Commission Chair Kristin Tips sent a series of anti-Islamic texts to then-Executive Director Scott Bingaman on May 20, 2025, during the agency's investigation of the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) for allegedly operating as a funeral home without a license. The messages included a graphic from the Shirion Collective, described as a "pro-Israel surveillance network," falsely claiming the Quran describes non-Muslims as "subhuman" and suggests touching the holy book "can mean death".
"Not a fan… tough to be tolerant when taught hate," Bingaman replied to the anti-Muslim content, according to text messages obtained by KERA News.
Tips also forwarded YouTube videos and links to far-right commentators, including content from YouTuber Tal Oran, who labeled EPIC's proposed community development as a breeding ground for "terrorists". Additionally, she shared images of State Rep. Suleman Lalani, one of Texas's first Muslim lawmakers, including a photo of him taking his oath of office with his hand on a Quran rather than a Bible.
Executive Director Alleges Corruption Before Dismissal
Bingaman was fired in June 2025 after raising concerns about Tips allegedly using her position to advance funeral industry legislation that would benefit her family's business, Mission Park Funeral Chapels, Cemeteries, and Crematories. In a letter to commissioners before his termination, Bingaman accused Tips of failing to disclose conflicts of interest regarding proposed bills that would cap non-economic damages in funeral home lawsuits.
"The people suffering from this are the people of Texas," said staff attorney Sarah Sanders, who was dismissed alongside colleague Christopher Burnett in July. "Because every time you go into a funeral home and something goes wrong and you feel like something isn't done about it, it's because of this dysfunction".
The dismissed attorneys alleged they were terminated for supporting Bingaman's whistleblowing claims against the commission. Sanders revealed she personally contacted Governor Greg Abbott's office about Tips' conduct, but said staff began ignoring their calls.
Governor's Response Falls Short of Action
Abbott's office initially instructed Bingaman to "rein in" Tips after receiving complaints about her behavior, according to attorney Christopher Burnett. However, no disciplinary action was taken against the commission chair, who was appointed by Abbott in 2017 and elevated to presiding officer in 2024.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has demanded that Abbott authorize a full investigation into alleged civil rights violations within the commission.
"Governor Abbott was very free with launching investigations targeting Muslims and has shared Islamophobic content from at least two social media accounts," stated Corey Saylor, CAIR's research and advocacy director. "He should now be transparent with Texans and open the books to an impartial investigator".
Commission Drops Lawsuit Against Whistleblowing Attorneys
Following the attorneys' dismissal, the commission filed suit against Burnett and Sanders for allegedly violating the attorney-client privilege after they shared details of their terminations with KERA News. However, the commission dropped the lawsuit less than a week later without explanation, though it could potentially be refiled.
The internal turmoil has left the agency under interim leadership, with Maria Haynes serving as acting executive director. Tips declined to comment when contacted by reporters, while the governor's office has not responded to requests for comment on the civil rights allegations.
Growing Anti-Muslim Climate in Texas Politics
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of escalating anti-Muslim sentiment among Texas Republican officials. Tarrant County Republican Party Chairman Bo French recently targeted Democratic State Rep. Salman Bhojani with posts calling him "anti-American" and demanding his denaturalization and deportation.
State Rep. Bhojani, one of Texas's few Muslim lawmakers, condemned the commission's conduct, stating officials should be "held to a higher standard" and not engage in promoting "hate amongst your peers and executive director".
The scandal has drawn national attention to Texas's treatment of religious minorities and raised questions about institutional bias within state regulatory agencies. As the controversy continues to unfold, the outcome may establish important precedents for accountability in state government and protections for religious communities facing discrimination. The multiple ongoing investigations into EPIC and the commission's internal dysfunction suggest this political crisis will likely continue well into 2026, potentially influencing broader discussions about religious freedom and civil rights in Texas.