Prosecutors allege Hidalgo’s chief of staff violated felony bond conditions, but a lack of court documents has led to a dispute over permitted activities.
Commissioner Rodney Ellis cited articles published by two news outlets and a progressive advocacy group in blocking recognition of Crime Stoppers Houston while calling for an audit of the non-profit.
Even after Judge Lina Hidalgo announced she would cancel a controversial $11 million COVID-19 vaccine outreach contract, the county continued to pay advances to Elevate Strategies.
The cases of three indicted Hidalgo staffers have been assigned to a judge who took campaign donations from the owner of Elevate Strategies, as well as Hidalgo’s legal counsel and criminal defense attorney.
The Harris County indictments stem from controversy around a $11 million vaccine outreach contract awarded to a well-connected Democrat.
A grand jury investigation found probable cause of tampering with governmental documents and misuse of official information related to a contract awarded to a woman with ties to local and national Democrats.
A grand jury reportedly investigating an $11 million contract awarded to a one-woman firm with ties to prominent Democrats has resulted in search warrants for county offices.
While some officials pushed for a new rule, several experts disputed the authority of the local licensing board to impose a rule requiring 10 percent down payments on bonds.
The GOP will seek to force the county to turn back on the livestream of the vote counting and implement independent oversight of upcoming elections in Harris County.
The commissioners voted to approve a budget meeting 18 percent of law enforcement requests, but will borrow money from road bonds to fund salary increases.
Crime Stoppers of Houston announced the launch of a new crime research initiative in response to an increase in homicides.
The county will spend up to $2.6 million on overtime for deputies to patrol seven high crime neighborhoods in unincorporated areas for 120 days.
