Another case of public corruption for the city of Houston

Another day, and another case of public corruption for the city of Houston.

Mayor John Whitmire and outgoing District Attorney Kim Ogg announced that the city’s former water department director, Patrice Lee, is now in custody on criminal charges related to shady water pipeline deals.

“People hate public corruption because it costs taxpayers money and, more importantly, it violates the public’s trust in government,” Ogg said.

7 people were indicted for public corruption offenses. Lee who was arrested last night, her brother and 5 others.

According to the district attorney’s office, Lee embezzled more than $400,000 in city funds for herself.

“We will not tolerate public corruption in the City of Houston,” Mayor Whitmire added. “We will go wherever the facts show us, in every department. We are watching you. This is just one example of how people will be held accountable.”

The Mayor and DA Ogg went out of their way to thank KPRC 2’s Amy Davis for her work on pursuing the story over the past two years. It’s her job, even though she was called “rude” by former Mayor Sylvester Turner, that led the Texas Rangers to get involved.

If convicted, Lee faces between 5 and 99 years in prison.