Harris County is slow to probe luxuries purchased on your dime – Mike Morris, Houston Chronicle
“My problem with the entire situation is, it appears that Edwin Harrison was just left unfettered to do as he pleased,” County Judge Ed Emmett said. “Obviously, blame goes all through the county. The auditors had their jobs to do. (Budget director and Harrison’s boss) Dick Raycraft had his job to do. Then Commissioners Court, we ultimately approve everything that comes through.”
The FBI is investigating Harrison and investments he made that allegedly resulted in $1.14 million in overpayments to two brokers on dozens of questionable trades in the past six years.
That probe and several others of Harrison, who retired last month, have raised questions of why the irregularities were not caught sooner.
Harris County presses for answers on $300,000 in travel costs – Mike Morris, Houston Chronicle
Emmett’s willingness to discuss the trip clearly bothered Ryan, Lee and Commissioner Jerry Eversole, all of whom said it was inappropriate to air such concerns in public.
Ryan said he should not comment on Emmett’s ethics questions in generalities. When Emmett attempted to raise a particular concern, however, Ryan said specifics should be discussed only in closed, executive session.
Kudos to County Judge Ed Emmett for attempting to shine the spotlight on these questionable activities. And shame on those pols trying to keep the public in the dark.
