KTRH: Mayor Pro Tem's staff suspended (updated)

KTRH-740 reports that several members of Mayor Pro Tem Carol Alvarado's office have been suspended:

KTRH News has learned that four members of Houston City Council member Carol Alvarado's office have been suspended.

The suspensions come as a result of an internal city investigation into payroll irregularities which may have involved bonuses paid to those workers.

A spokesman for Mayor Bill White's office says all four workers were employees of Alvarado's mayor pro-tem office and not her council office.

Mayor White is expected to talk about the investigation at a press conference later this afternoon.

I wonder if this provoked a profane outburst from the occasionally fiery, potty-mouthed Mayor Pro Tem?

UPDATE: The Chronicle's Matt Stiles posts a short blurb.

UPDATE 2: Kudos to KPRC-2, which sent an email alert pointing to their more complete account:

Agents raided the office of Houston Mayor Pro Tem Carol Alvarado Wednesday, confiscating equipment and placing employees on administrative leave, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Officials said the city's finance director received reports of payroll irregularities, possibly including some improper pay raises awarded to employees in Alvarado's office, and reported it to the Office of Inspector General.

OIG agents and Houston police raided the offices shortly after lunchtime.

Four employees were removed and immediately placed on leave. Officials would not comment on Alvarado's status.

Computers were confiscated from the office and the door locks were changed.

Mayor Bill White plans to hold a news conference shortly. A statement is also expected from Alvarado.

UPDATE 3: Mayor White (via KHOU-11's live webcast) indicates that the city is investigating improper bonuses of $130,000 for the four staffers who were suspended.

UPDATE (02-16-2006): Updated coverage, from the Chronicle, KHOU, KPRC.

BLOGVERSATION: Houblog (I) and Houblog (II), Isolated Desolation, Off the Kuff, Baboon Pirates, Lou Minatti.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 02/15/06 02:52 PM | Print |

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