#BuiltForThis
Give full credit to KPRC Channel 2 News Investigative-Consumer Reporter Amy Davis for the following from the Chron:
A former Houston Public Works employee indicted on bribery charges for funneling water repair contract cash to herself has accepted a plea deal and will serve 10 years in prison.
Patrece Lee — who formerly helped manage the department’s water operation — was one of seven people, including her brother and other vendors, who received a total of 14 charges as a result of an internal probe turned criminal investigation.
Lee was suspended in November 2023 after KPRC reported there was a possible conflict of interest in her handling of the water line repair contracts.
“I’m glad to see the justice system delivering accountability for this violation of public trust,” Mayor John Whitmire wrote in a statement Tuesday. “I appreciate the efforts of the court, the Texas Rangers, Houston OIG, and District Attorney Teare in pursuing this outcome. I remain committed to preventing and eliminating corruption and abuse. Restoring public trust in City Hall is essential — only then can we credibly ask our residents to invest in the critical needs that will sustain our position as a leading global city.”
Lee was accused of steering city contracts to companies that hired her own company, KB3 Construction, for consulting services and promised the companies faster pay and larger contracts. Lee was able to secure $322,000 from four different vendors through the operation.
She was also accused of funneling another $400,000 to her brother Andrew Thomas’ company LCI, and funneled $380,000 of that money to her own company. Lee never disclosed her relationship with Thomas.
The Mayor forgot to appreciate the efforts of Amy. This doesn’t happen without Amy. This scam started when the City of H-Town’s water department billings and meters were all screwed up and Amy sprang into investigative action mode.
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I get why folks continue to protest the HISD takeover. Here is another from the Chron:
The advocacy group Community Voices for Public Education is asking students to stay home Wednesday to protest Houston ISD’s state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles’ policies, the group announced Monday.
Students will be absent and parents will protest that morning at 900 W. Gray outside of Wharton Dual Language Academy. The sickout will involve students and families from over 118 HISD schools, according to the group’s estimate.
“We voted overwhelmingly as a show that we do not support this superintendent or the Board of Managers,” HISD parent Fred Woods said. “We’re out of options. We continue to speak up and show up and speak out. And so this is just a continuation of us trying to show that we do not support Mike Miles, the Board of Managers, or what they’re doing. And yet, we still don’t have a time where there’s a dialogue. I cannot name a policy that started from the community that’s being initiated and backed by this board.”
Here is the entire Chron read: Advocacy group asks students to miss school to protest Mike Miles.
Good luck.
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This is from an AP story:
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The head of the union representing NFL officials called allegations that officiating crews are biased in favor of the Kansas City Chiefs or any other team “insulting and preposterous.”
NFL Referees Association executive director Scott Green released a statement on Tuesday thanking Commissioner Roger Goodell for dismissing the allegations and responding to “conspiracy theories” on social media about favoritism to the Chiefs.
“Commissioner Goodell’s comments that it is ‘ridiculous’ to presume that NFL officials are not doing everything possible to make the right call on every play is spot on,” Green said. “Officiating crews do not work the same team more than twice each regular season. It is insulting and preposterous to hear conspiracy theories that somehow 17 officiating crews consisting of 138 officials are colluding to assist one team.”
Ok. If that is the case, then the NFL has a bunch of lousy refs.
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Tags tweeted this about Billy Wagner’s number being retired by the Astros:
Wagner will become the 10th number retired by the Astros, joining Jim Umbricht (No. 32), Don Wilson (No. 40), Jose Cruz (No. 25), Mike Scott (No. 33), Nolan Ryan (No. 34), Larry Dierker (No. 49), Jimmy Wynn (No. 24), Jeff Bagwell (No. 5) and Craig Biggio (No. 7).
Yesterday, the Astros announced new grub choices for Daikin Park. You know me, just dollar dogs, peanuts, and Saint Arnold.
The Astros also rolled out their 2025 slogan. #BuiltForThis as in the featured photo. I am good with #BuiltForThis. Opening Day is in 50 days.
