13 Undercover follows the Jerry Eversole email trail

(11/01/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- Commissioner Jerry Eversole isn't talking as our hidden cameras show him shopping, golfing and working out when he could be at the office. We have new surveillance video and emails.

"Elected in 1991, 15 years on office, accomplished, capable, honorable, dedicated," were all words on the screen in Eversole's campaign commercial last year.

There was another focusing on Jerry Eversole's dedication to the environment around Spring Creek.

"It's really important that Commissioner Eversole has taken the steps to preserve all of this large green area for all generations," said a woman in his commercial.

It's July 19, a work day for county employees. But we see Commissioner Eversole over at the Galleria, shopping bags in hand. It 10:42am. There's still plenty of time to put in nearly a full day at the office for taxpayers.

"For the 837,000 residents of Precinct 4 to watchdog that $81 million budget, the 555 square miles of Precinct 4.

"If he sat in his office all day, in my opinion, he wouldn't be doing his job," said Eversole's paid spokesperson Bill Miller. "Because it's an enormous precinct."

Except the Galleria isn't in Eversole's precinct and the commissioner has only one other destination this day -- his home in the Heights. And he doesn't leave his home for the rest of the day.

"I dare say I don't know what he was thinking about that day while he was home," said Miller.

During our four weeks of surveillance over two separate months, the commissioner was usually home hours before county offices were closed for the day.

"The whole thing, really Wayne, I think can be summed up in one word -- arrogance," said taxpayer advocate Bob Lemer. "Disregard for the taxpayers."

Eversole wasn't just shopping at the Galleria that July morning. He was there to get money; his annual campaign fundraiser breakfast at the Westin Galleria.

We found the invitation on the county computer of Joanye Henderson, the commissioners chief of staff, who you pay $132,000 a year. She's also paid nearly $1,600 a month by the Eversole campaign.

"Sounds like she's underpaid," said Miller.

A review of emails show Henderson and other Precinct 4 employees were busy planning this campaign event during the county work day, from the invitations to the decorations.

Remember that beautiful campaign video of north Harris County nature? From emails we've obtained under state law, we know a Precinct 4 official was actively involved in helping make it. Dennis Johnson makes $82,000 a year as the parks director for Precinct 4.

"He's up the food chain pretty high," said Miller.

An email details his scene suggestions for the campaign video, quoting, "We can spend the afternoon scouting other areas."

Other emails detail Johnson's work in setting up shooting schedule. The video's producer wanted shots of a county pontoon boat. Johnson writes, "The boat could be tied up and made available."

Johnston won't talk with us.

"If he's fulfilling his duties, in my opinion, there's a swap if he's swapping time," said Miller.

Joey Mayfield, another $80,000 a year plus Precinct 4 official who handles computers also operates a company called JEM Consulting on the side. Emails show he fixed a computer for the commissioner's wife in February. The bill -- $425.25 -- was sent to the Eversole campaign. Campaign records show it was paid four days later.

Spending campaign funds for the personal benefit of your family is against the law.

Mayfield won't talk either.

You will find a number of donations to charity from his campaign account. But the biggest single recipient of Jerry Eversole's campaign funds is the company that makes his campaign videos, even though he ran unopposed in 2006 and doesn't have another election for three years.

In 18 months, the Eversole campaign has paid Lone Star Productions more than $90,000. Wonder if that's the family discount price? Because the owner of Lone Star is Harold Mark Eversole, the commissioner's brother. He declined comment, too.

Friday, are campaign funds being used on the commissioner's vacations? And the fallout in Precinct 4.

Tell Wayne what you think of the story on his blog.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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