Houston Public Works Addresses Ongoing Investigations into Employee Wrongdoing

November 30, 2023

Houston Public Works (HPW) is working in coordination with the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and the Controller’s Office, to uncover the extent of alleged employee wrongdoing in the emergency contracting process. OIG investigations, which began on November 7, 2023, will continue as additional allegations surface and more accusations are reported. One executive level employee has resigned, and one employee, who admitted to directing contracts to a family member, has been relieved of duty as investigations move forward.

“Let me be very clear.  No one is exempt from the ongoing investigations. We are turning over every rock, and OIG is conducting extensive inquiries,” said Houston Public Works Director Carol Haddock. “Our goal is to focus on rooting out the bad actors, while working to rebuild eroded public trust.”

HPW is encouraging our media partners, the public and the contracting community to report any suspected fraud in the emergency contracting process by calling the Controller’s Office Hotline at 832.393.3542 or by completing the Fraud, Waste or Abuse Form.

“Houston Public Works is taking proactive steps to restore integrity in this emergency contracting process,” said Haddock. “As a public agency, we are accountable to Houstonians and will provide updates as soon as legally permissible.”