Michael Bromwich’s review of the HPD crime lab has been delayed:
Michael Bromwich, the former U.S. Justice Department official who is leading the investigation, and his panel of experts have been idle since they issued a series of reports in June that exposed troubling faults such as analysts who were accused of fabricating test results. The group began its work March 30.
The city initially budgeted $2.2 million for the first year of the investigation, and a $1 million balance remains. Even so, Houston Police Department officials have told the team it must receive approval from the City Council before it can start the second phase of its investigation — a review of about 3,000 criminal cases that have already been prosecuted.
Although the investigating team is independent, it must rely on HPD officials to carry funding requests to the City Council. Police Capt. David Watkins said he expects to take the proposal for the second phase of the investigation, which includes a request from Bromwich for an additional $1.6 million, before the council in about two weeks, meaning work will be interrupted for a minimum of six weeks.
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Mayor Bill White’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
The Chronicle editorial board is really going to have to stretch to blame this on Harris Country District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal.