Judge clears path for trans rights group to uncover who’s behind fake mailers to Texas families

The Transgender Education Network of Texas may be closer to learning who is behind the fake promotional materials claiming to be from the organization after a judge ruled in its favor, as separate reporting points to ties between a printer linked to the mailers and pro-Trump political groups.During a Tuesday hearing, Travis County District Judge Jan Soifer approved depositions of Texas Transgender Student Union LLC, the Wyoming-based organization listed as the mailers’ sender, and Infobip LLC, the wireless provider that helped send the unsolicited text messages, allowing TENT to question both companies under oath.“We are very pleased that the court obviously saw our evidence and understood the need for two depositions,” said Mimi Marziani, an attorney representing TENT, according to news station KVUE.Chris Hilton, an attorney for TTSU, pushed back, arguing that "TTSU did nothing wrong other than engage in speech,” and that the mailers weren’t tied to Election Day.Related: Who sent fake trans advocacy mailers to inflame Texas Republicans? A trail leads to an Illinois printer"The First Amendment protects speech 365 days a year – especially in an election year,” Hilton told the judge, CBS News reports.Hilton said he also represented Infobip clients and planned to appeal the decision.The hearing took place as more information emerged about the Illinois printing company believed to hold the postal permit used for the mailers.CBS News Texas reported that the U.S. Postal Service identified Three Z Printing as the permit holder. The company is owned by Bill Zerrusen and his three sons, one of whom lives near Dallas.Over the years, the Zerrusens have donated more than $700,000 to Trump-aligned groups and Republican committees, the San Antonio Express-News reports, though it remains unclear what role, if any, Three Z played beyond using its permit. CBS News Texas and the San Antonio Express-News said they had contacted the family-owned company for comment but ha