UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS

SAN ANTONIO DIVISION

DIGITALDESK, INC., and §

R. GREG GOMM, §
§
Plaintiffs, § Case No. 23-CV-________
§
v. §
§
BEXAR COUNTY, and §
LIFTFUND INC., §
§
Defendants.

VERIFIED COMPLAINT

Plaintiffs state their verified complaint against Defendants as follows:

INTRODUCTION

1. The Bexar County Small Business Assistance Program, funded and

operated by Defendants, “picks winners and losers based on the color of their skin.”

Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. Harvard, No. 20-1199, Slip. Op. at 38 (June 29,

2023). This is forbidden. The United States Constitution demands the “absolute

equality of all citizens of the United States politically and civilly before their own

laws.” Id. at 10 (2023) (quoting the Congressional record). “The law in the States shall

be the same for the black as [it is] for the white.” Id. (quoting Strauder v. W. Virginia,

100 U.S. 303, 307–309 (1879)). In other words, the “equal protection clause requires
equality of treatment before the law for all persons without regard to race or color.”

Id. at 13 (quoting Browder v. Gayle, 142 F. Supp. 707, 715 (M.D. Ala. 1956)).

2. Plaintiffs are a white male and his software company. They applied for

assistance under Defendants’ grant program, but because of a “scoring methodology”

that gave preferences based on race and gender, Plaintiffs’ application was put at the

back of the line. Their application was denied.

3. Defendants’ treatment of Plaintiffs is unconstitutional and illegal under

federal law. In fact, Defendants’ scoring methodology is similar to a race-based

preference scheme used in the Small Business Administration’s Restaurant

Revitalization Fund, which was struck down in 2021. See Vitolo v. Guzman, 999 F.3d

353 (6th Cir. 2021). For the same reasons explained in that decision, Defendants here

violated Plaintiffs’ constitutional and statutory rights by imposing an illegal race-

based scoring methodology.

PARTIES

4. Plaintiff DigitalDesk, Inc. is a software company based in San Antonio,

Texas, that creates and sells educational software. DigitalDesk’s goal is to ensure

that educators have access to the best learning tools available. The company’s

educational software, which includes in-person and remote learning features,

powerful analytics, and a comprehensive assessments platform, has been used by

higher educational institutions around the country.

5. Plaintiff R. Greg Gomm is the President and Founder of DigitalDesk.

He resides in Bexar County, Texas. He founded DigitalDesk in 2011.

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 6. Defendant Bexar County is a political subdivision of the State of Texas

and is a person for the purposes of 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Bexar County is responsible for

the policies, customs, practices, and procedures of the Bexar County Small Business

Assistance Program. The employees who operate and developed the Bexar County

Small Business Assistance Program did so with the authority and approval of Bexar

County.

7. Defendant LiftFund Inc. is a non-profit Community Development

Financial Institution and Community Development Corporation that offers small

business loans and technical support to small businesses. LiftFund is a Texas

corporation and operates in San Antonio, Texas, among other locations. LiftFund

administers the Bexar County Small Business Assistance Program on behalf of, and

with the approval of, Bexar County.

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

8. Jurisdiction may be exercised by this Court under 28 U.S.C. § 1331

because the claims in this complaint arise under the Constitution and laws of the

United States.

9. Venue is appropriate in this Court under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b) because

Defendants reside in this district and a substantial part of the events giving rise to

this claim occurred in this district.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

10. On January 3, 2023, Bexar County began accepting applications for the

Bexar County Small Business Assistance Program. The purpose of the Program is to

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provide grants from between $10,000 to $50,000 to small businesses impacted by the

pandemic. The funds must be used for business-related expenses, including payroll,

working capital, business rent, supplies, equipment, and other operating costs. See

Exhibit 1 (screenshots from Bexar County’s website from July 5, 2023).

11. LiftFund administers and operates the fund on behalf of Bexar County.

12. The Program is funded with $10 million from the American Rescue Plan

Act of 2021.

13. Plaintiffs applied for a grant on January 6, 2023. LiftFund

acknowledged Plaintiffs’ application with an email. Exhibit 2.

14. Plaintiffs’ application demonstrated eligibility for a grant as follows: (1)

DigitalDesk employs fewer than 500 employees and meets the Small Business

Administration standard for small business; (2) DigitalDesk does not conduct a

prohibited activity, as defined by the Program requirements; (3) DigitalDesk has

annual gross sales between $10,000 and $3 million; (4) DigitalDesk’s gross sales in

either 2020 or 2021 were less than gross sales in 2019; (5) DigitalDesk operated prior

to January 1, 2020, with documented financials in 2019; (6) DigitalDesk is currently

in operation; (7) DigitalDesk has not filed for bankruptcy; (8) DigitalDesk is in good

standing with the Texas Comptroller’s Office; (9) DigitalDesk is located within Bexar

County limits; (10) DigitalDesk does not operate within any prohibited category of

business, as determined by the Program; and (11) Plaintiff Gomm is a majority owner

of the business.

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 15. Plaintiffs provided all the documents required for the application,

including a current driver’s license, corporate documents, tax returns, bank

statements, and business utility bills.

16. In all respects, Plaintiffs submitted a complete application

demonstrating eligibility for a grant under the program.

17. Based on financials provided, Plaintiffs were eligible for a grant of

$50,000.

18. Because the Program was funded with only $10 million, Bexar County

anticipated that there would be more applicants than funds available. Bexar County

created a “scoring methodology” to prioritize grant applications. Under the

methodology, eligible applicants with higher scores would be funded before eligible

applicants with lower scores. Some applicants, despite being otherwise eligible, would

not receive a grant because of their relatively low score under the “scoring

methodology.” As explained on their website, “Applications will not be considered on

a first come, first served basis. Applications with the highest score based on the

methodology below will be considered and funded first.”

19. The “scoring methodology,” used and approved by Bexar County and

implemented by LiftFund, contained race-based and sex-based qualifications. Below

is an accurate screenshot of the “scoring methodology,” taken from the Bexar County

Small Business Assistance Program website:

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 20. According to the “scoring methodology,” applicants owned by minorities

would receive more points than those businesses not owned by minorities.

21. Plaintiffs were not entitled to any points for the categories of “minority

owned” because Gomm is white, or any points for “women owned” because Gomm is

a man.

22. On May 30, 2023, counsel for Plaintiffs wrote a letter to Defendants

explaining that their “scoring methodology,” which used racial classifications, was

unconstitutional or otherwise illegal under federal law. Exhibit 3. Plaintiffs

specifically informed Defendants that a similar race-based priority methodology—

also used to distribute funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021—was struck

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down by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. See Vitolo v. Guzman, 999 F.3d 353 (6th

Cir. 2021).

23. Defendants did not respond in any way to Plaintiffs’ letter.

24. On June 21, 2023, Plaintiffs received the email below. According to the

email, Plaintiffs’ grant application was denied. The email confirms that the “scoring

methodology” was used in determining which applicants received a grant. Also

attached hereto as Exhibit 4. 1

1
The letter is addressed to “Robert” because Plaintiff R. Greg Gomm’s first legal name
is Robert.

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 COUNT I: VIOLATION OF SECTION 1983

25. Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate the allegations above.

26. Defendant Bexar County is a person who, under the color of any statute,

ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, subjected, or caused to be subjected,

Plaintiffs to the deprivation of the rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the

Constitution and the laws of the United States.

27. By implementing and administering the Program, Defendant LiftFund

acted under the color of law, conspired with Bexar County, acted in concert with

Bexar County, and otherwise was a willful participant in a joint activity with Bexar

County. In other words, Defendant LiftFund’s actions, as alleged above, are “fairly

attributable” to Bexar County, thereby making Defendant LiftFund a “person” for

purposes of Section 1983 and liable under that statute. See Lugar v. Edmondson Oil

Co., 457 U.S. 922, 937 (1982).

28. By employing a racial preference, Defendants violated Plaintiffs’ rights

under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

29. When the government distributes burdens or benefits on the basis of

individual racial classifications, that action is reviewed under strict scrutiny. Parents

Involved in Cmty. Sch. v. Seattle Sch. Dist. No. 1, 551 U.S. 701, 720 (2007).

Defendants must justify the racial preferences by demonstrating that the preference

is narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling government interest. Id.

30. Defendants cannot justify the racial preferences under the applicable

standards, making these preferences unconstitutional and therefore a violation of 42

U.S.C. § 1983.

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 31. Defendants’ scoring methodology also includes an illegal gender-based

preference, which is similarly illegal under United States v. Virginia, 518 U.S. 515

(1996).

32. Defendants are therefore liable to Plaintiffs for violations of the Equal

Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

COUNT II: VIOLATION OF SECTION 1981

33. Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate the allegations above.

34. “All persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall have the

same right in every State and Territory to make and enforce contracts … as is enjoyed

by white citizens.” 42 U.S.C. § 1981(a). The term “make and enforce contracts”

includes the “making, performance, modification, and termination of contracts, and

the enjoyment of all benefits, privileges, terms, and conditions of the contractual

relationship.” 42 U.S.C. § 1981(b).

35. The rights protected in Section 1981 “are protected against impairment

by nongovernmental discrimination and impairment under color of state law.” 42

U.S.C. § 1981(c).

36. Section 1981 prohibits racial discrimination in the making and enforcing

of contracts and applies equally to all races. McDonald v. Santa Fe Trail Transp. Co,

427 U.S. 273 (1976).

37. The grants offered by the Bexar County Small Business Assistance

Program, and the attending documents and agreements, constitute a contract or a

contractual relationship governed by Section 1981.

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 38. By imposing a racial preference in the program, Defendants impaired or

otherwise interfered with Plaintiffs’ rights under Section 1981.

COUNT III: VIOLATION OF SECTION 1985

39. Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate the allegations above.

40. Defendants, by agreeing and implementing the racial preferences in the

Program, conspired to deprive, either directly or indirectly, Plaintiffs’ right to the

equal protection of the laws. 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3).

41. Defendants’ conspiracy to violate Plaintiffs’ equal protection rights

involved multiple acts done in further of the object, including the creation and

implementation of the “scoring methodology.”

42. Defendants’ imposition of the “scoring methodology” injured Plaintiffs

and deprived them of the equal protection of the laws.

43. By choosing to benefit certain races over other races, Defendants’ actions

in implementing the “scoring methodology” constitutes a racial animus towards

disfavored racial groups, including Plaintiffs. “The conspiracy, in other words, …

aim[s] at a deprivation of the equal enjoyment of rights secured by the law to all.”

Griffin v. Breckenridge, 403 U.S. 88, 102 (1971).

REQUEST FOR RELIEF

Plaintiffs therefore request the following relief:

A. Declare that Defendants have violated Plaintiffs’ equal-protection rights

under 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981, 1983, & 1985;

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 B. Permanently enjoin Defendants from violating Plaintiffs’ equal-

protection rights;

C. Award damages, both compensatory and punitive, to Plaintiffs;

D. Award Plaintiffs their attorney fees under 42 U.S.C. § 1988 or otherwise

as permitted by federal law; and

E. Award costs and all other relief as determined appropriate by this Court.

Dated: July ___, 2023

s/ DRAFT
Fernando M. Bustos (SBN: 24001819)
Bustos Law Firm, P.C.
1001 Main Street, Suite 501
Lubbock, Texas 79408
Telephone (806) 780-3976
Facsimile: (806) 780-3800
[email protected]

WISCONSIN INSTITUTE FOR

LAW & LIBERTY, INC.
Richard M. Esenberg (WI Bar No. 1005622)*
Daniel P. Lennington (WI Bar No. 1088694)*
330 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 725
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Telephone: (414) 727-9455
Facsimile: (414) 727-6385
[email protected]
[email protected]
*Pro Hac Vice Pending

Attorneys for Plaintiffs

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1
2
 WISCONSIN INSTITUTE FOR LAW & LIBERTY, INC.
330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 725, Milwaukee, WI 53202-3141
414-727-WILL (9455) | Fax 414-727-6385 | www.will-law.org
[email protected]
May 30, 2023

Mr. David L. Smith

Bexar County Commissioners Court
Office of the County Manager
101 W. Nueva
10th Floor
San Antonio, TX 78205

Ms. Laurie Vignaud

President and CEO
LiftFund, Inc.
2014 S. Hackberry St.
San Antonio, Texas 78210

RE: Small Business Assistance Program

Dear Mr. Smith and Ms. Vignaud:

The Equality Under the Law Project is a nationwide initiative of the Wisconsin
Institute for Law & Liberty, Inc. The Project’s mission is to protect equal rights for
all Americans and to promote a colorblind society. Today, I am writing on behalf of
our client, Mr. R. Greg Gomm, who is President of DigitalDesk in San Antonio, Texas.

As you know, the Bexar County Small Business Assistance Program provides
grants to small business owners impacted by the pandemic. The program is funded
with $10 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and is administered by
LiftFund. The Program offers grants of up to $50,000 for qualifying small businesses.

In January 2023, Mr. Gomm applied for a grant on behalf of DigitalDesk. Like
most businesses in America, DigitalDesk was significantly impacted by the pandemic,
experiencing decreasing sales and labor uncertainty. As explained in its application,
DigitalDesk meets all the qualifications for a grant. The company is located in Bexar
County and in good standing with the Texas Comptroller’s Office, reports gross sales
between $10,000 and $3 million, and was in operation before 2020.

Because there are more applicants than funds available, Bexar County created
a “scoring methodology” to determine which applicants will be funded first. According
to your website, “applications with the highest score based on the methodology below
will be considered first.”

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 Your scoring methodology is illegal and unconstitutional. As shown above,
businesses owned by racial minorities and women are given a preference. Businesses
owned by white males, such as DigitalDesk, are not on equal footing with the other
applicants.

“A racial classification, regardless of purported motivation, is presumptively

invalid.” Pers. Adm'r of Massachusetts v. Feeney, 442 U.S. 256, 272 (1979). When
confronted with such a racial classification, “[a]ny person, of whatever race, has the
right to demand that any governmental actor subject to the Constitution justify any
racial classification subjecting that person to unequal treatment under the strictest
judicial scrutiny.” Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Peña, 515 U.S. 200, 224 (1995).
Gender discrimination is likewise unconstitutional. When a gender classification is
imposed, government officials “must demonstrate an exceedingly persuasive
justification for that action.” United States v. Virginia, 518 U.S. 515, 531 (1996).

In 2021, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit struck down
race and gender preferences in a program remarkably like the ones imposed now by
you. In Vitolo v. Guzman, the Small Business Administration issued grants from the
Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which was a limited pot of money designed to assist
restaurants impacted by the pandemic. Like here, SBA prioritized grants to women
and minorities.

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 In striking down the preferences, the court held that race and gender
discrimination is unconstitutional, and the government may not justify these
preferences by pointing to “societal discrimination” or disparities in business
ownership. The government may only target a specific episode of intentional
discrimination that the government participated in.

In this case, you have no justification for imposing race and gender preferences.
Bexar County has not made any findings, issued any reports, or otherwise offered any
public evidence that County officials have intentionally discriminated against women
and minorities in the past, and therefore this program is necessary to cure those prior
discriminatory episodes. Therefore, these preferences are unconstitutional. Under 42
U.S.C. § 1983, victims of race and gender discrimination, like Mr. Gomm, may sue
individuals and entities acting under the color of law. Furthermore, other federal
laws also impose liability upon both public and private actors, such as 42 U.S.C. §§
1981 and 1985.

Under these statutes, Mr. Gomm and DigitalDesk would be entitled to

compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorney fees, if these preferences are
imposed. In other words, if Mr. Gomm is not considered on equal footing with
minority and women-owned businesses, then you will be found liable for damages and
attorney fees. Moreover, any business owned by a white male that applied for this
program would be entitled to similar relief. Imposing these preferences could lead to
millions of dollars of potential liability for Bexar County and LiftFund.

On behalf of Mr. Gomm and DigitalDesk, I am asking that you withdraw these
preferences and award grants based on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you do not,
then we will file a federal lawsuit against Bexar County and LiftFund to address
these grave constitutional and statutory violations, and to seek appropriate damages
and fees.

Sincerely,

WISCONSIN INSTITUTE FOR LAW & LIBERTY, INC.

Daniel P. Lennington
Deputy Counsel

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 Click here to view this message in a browser window.

Robert,  

Thank you for your interest in the Bexar County Small Business Assistance grant
program.

The overwhelming response received far exceeded the available funds. The grant
application review process was completed using the methodology outlined on the Bexar
County Small Business Assistance Grant website in the Scoring Methodology section.

At this time, all grant funds have been allocated and your business will be unable to
receive funding from this program.

While your business is unable to access funding from this program, other opportunities
may be found in the Additional Resources section of the website, including utility
assistance and other grant programs.

Feel free to contact LiftFund at [email protected] with questions or for

information about our low interest loan products.

LiftFund is a nonprofit financial organization that provides funding and guidance to diverse
business owners to help them strengthen their businesses, stabilize and increase their profits
and assets, create jobs, and contribute to the economic revitalization of their communities.      
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2014 S. Hackberry St, San Antonio, Texas 78210, USA

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