Investigates: Emails show city council relations director, William Paul Thomas, had close communication with private businessman
City of Houston leaders are calling for an outside investigation into the actions of a now former city director, William Paul Thomas, after KPRC 2 Investigates uncovered emails showing negotiations in favor of a private businessman.
Former HISD chief operating officer, district vendor indicted in alleged bribery scheme
The former chief operating officer and a contract vendor with the Houston Independent School District have been both been indicted for conspiring in a bribery scheme, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Former Venezuelan official pleads guilty in connection with international bribery and money laundering scheme
Two of the businessmen included Jose Manuel Gonzalez Testino (Gonzalez), a dual U.S.-Venezuelan citizen, and Tulio Anibal Farias Perez (Farias), a Venezuelan national and Houston resident. De Jongh admitted to directing bribe payments from Gonzalez and Farias and others into bank accounts in the names of shell companies he controlled in Panama and Switzerland. De Jongh laundered the bribe proceeds through U.S. and international bank accounts and used the funds to purchase real property located in the Houston area. De Jongh pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. As part of his plea, De Jongh also agreed to forfeit over $3 million seized from his bank accounts and 15 properties he purchased with his corrupt proceeds.
US, UK fight foreign bribery but most nations do very little
Berlin-based Transparency International said only four of 47 countries โ the U.S., U.K., Switzerland and Israel, making up 16.5% of global exports โ were actively enforcing legislation against foreign bribery in 2019. That's down from seven countries, making up 27% of exports, that were conducting active enforcement in 2018. โOur research shows that many countries are barely investigating foreign bribery,โ said Gillian Dell, the lead author of the Transparency report. Germany, the world's third-largest exporter and also signatory to the convention, only conducts โmoderate enforcement,โ as do other major exporters like France, Italy and Spain. โG-20 countries and other major economies have a responsibility to enforce the rules.โTransparency's recommendations include ending secrecy in ownership of companies, which makes investigating foreign bribery difficult, and exploring increased liability of parent companies for the actions of their foreign subsidiaries.
Gov. Greg Abbott says accusations against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton โraise serious concernsโ
The brief letter, dated Oct. 1, says the officials notified law enforcement of a potential crime on Sept. 30, but does not provide detailed accusations. The officials also say they notified Paxton himself of the accusation via text message on Oct. 1. โYour work, your sacrifice, and your dedication to this office inspire us all.โMeanwhile, top Texas Republicans reacted cautiously to the allegations against Paxton. In 2014, the Texas State Securities Board fined Paxton $1,000 for soliciting investment clients without being registered, and he signed a disciplinary order without disputing its findings. โKen Paxton is the top law enforcement official in the state,โ Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement Saturday.
Investigation: Mayorโs office received $500K offer asking mayor to help close private land deal
HOUSTON โ A thread of emails dating back to 2017 between Mayor Sylvester Turnerโs inner circle and local businessman Jason Yoo, is raising questions about bribery. In the email, Yoo asked for City Hall and Turner to help him land and close a private real estate deal involving BP headquarters on the cityโs Westside for $348 million. They put this in an email,โ Wynne said. In fact, after Thomas wrote that the Mayor would meet with Yoo, Thomas sent the thread of internal city emails to Yoo, writing, "Iโm on this! (KPRC)Ultimately, in a separate email, Turner informed his assistant that he would not meet with Yoo after all.