Mark Matta, Odessa City Council Member for District 1, issued a press release Friday, accompanied by a recorded video statement, to publicly apologize and address his role in inappropriate behavior. Matta acknowledges and takes full responsibility for engaging in inappropriate conduct, specifically texting a female that is not his wife.
The following is the full statement from Mark Matta:
“I am here today to sincerely apologize and take full responsibility for inappropriate text messages I sent to a woman other than my wife.
I apologize first and foremost to my wife, as I have let you down. I also apologize to my family, constituents, colleagues, and community for the hurt and disappointment I have caused.
My actions were a serious lapse in judgment, and I take complete responsibility. I understand the impact this has had on those who trusted and supported me, and I humbly ask for your forgiveness.
I apologize to the husband of the person I had these text exchanges with and ask for your forgiveness.
As a Christian, I have also betrayed the morals and principles which I deeply believe in and have asked God to forgive me and to change my heart so this never happens again. I have spoken to my Pastor about this lapse in judgment and have asked for prayer and guidance as I repent for my sin.
To be clear, this inappropriate behavior ended over a year ago, but it is my obligation to share this with my constituents.
I am ashamed of my behavior, and I have a lot of work to do in order to regain the trust of so many people in our community. I do not take this lightly, and I am fully aware that my actions were wrong and can never happen again.
I love Odessa and our people and am committed to do everything in my power to demonstrate that my words today are not hollow, and I will work as hard as I possibly can to work for the residents of our amazing city.
This has been an extremely difficult time for my family, and I ask that you leave my family out of this as I am responsible for this. There is much healing to do, and I am committed to put in the work to help our family heal.
Thank you for your understanding and consideration.”
