Harris Co. Republican party launches investigation into Commissioner Jerry Eversole

(11/01/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole remains silent as the questions keep coming on his work habits and his use of three quarters of a million dollars in campaign funds.

And now, the Harris County Republican Party has launched its own investigation into the revelations from 13 Undercover and the questions keep coming.

Disney World isn't the only tourist stop in Orlando, Florida. You can take in one of the state's self-described greatest golf courses -- Metro West. The ninth hole is featured in golf magazines.

Jerry Eversole has played it. His tee time -- 8:45am. Someone notes on his handwritten calendar, it's a 'nice course.'

From emails, we know Eversole's county staff helped arrange the itinerary. " I will be faxing JE a copy of a map and golf course information," was in one email we saw.

Over the next two days, the official schedule lists no other golf and no county or political business, just two days of Astros exhibition baseball.

So why is Eversole's campaign paying so much of the bill? There's $2,100 in expenses at the Lowe's Hotel in Orlando, $186 spent at Orlando's airport, and $244.95 at that golf course.

On Eversole's sworn campaign records, he calls the hotel bill an 'event expense,' the golf expense 'public relations.'

"You can't spend campaign funds for personal use," said taxpayer advocate Fred Lewis.

That's why we tried time and time again to get answers from the commissioner, because on his official calendar, the trip is called "Spring break - Florida."

Eversole isn't talking.

"I don't understand why he doesn't answer your questions about what he's spent the money on," said Lewis.

His campaign treasurer isn't talking either. It's his son and the number on the campaign report is Eversole's government office.

"There should be a special prosecutor appointed and grand jury assembled and they should look at whether or not campaign funds were spent for personal use," said Lewis.

In the early 1990s, Jerry Eversole was indicted for alleged perjury on his campaign report. The perjury case was thrown out, but investigators back then were examining his large expenditures on golf.

And Eversole won't say how much vacation time he's taken, even though on his schedule, dozens of weekdays are blank and some trips listed on weekdays are clearly not county business.

On a Friday in September, we watched Eversole go to Starbuck's, then pick up his wife, then go to Starbuck's again, then head west, stopping at Luling to eat barbeque. He was heading to Kerville for a three-day weekend. No government business on his schedule, but you helped pay for the trip because he took the county car. You paid to fill it up again on Monday morning.

This week we've exposed emails detailing campaign work done by county employees for the commissioner. What else are they doing for the boss on your dime?

When the Eversoles went to China for their vacation, Chief of Staff Joanye Henderson drove all the way to the airport in the middle of the night to pick up them up.

"Staff often wants to accommodate the boss," said Eversole's paid spokesperson, Bill Miller.

Hope they talked about county business because you paid her four hours of work that night.

And when lightening hit the Eversole's house in May, their cable and phone went out. Why spend the morning on hold with utility companies yourself when got county employees paid by taxpayers to do it?

In an email, Eversole's assistant writes, "I have spent all afternoon trying to get the repair service for both and I did."

"If that employee chose to do that, that's her choice and decision," said Miller.

During our surveillance, the commissioner spent huge parts of the day not at his office...shopping, working out, or just staying home.

This summer, the Precinct 4 newsletter congratulated the staff for the best attendance of any county department and there was even a quote from the commissioner.

"Precinct 4 set the standard because they understand the positive or negative impact their attendance plays in the cost to taxpayers."

"He said it," said Bob Lemer. "But I don't know how in the world he would know. He wasn't there to see whether his employees were being on time or working the full 40," said Lemer.

The state ethics commission requires someone to file a sworn complaint before they even decide to investigate possible election law violations. Here's a link to the ethics commission: http://www.ethics.state.tx.us/

It's back off to work we go. Remember -- Channel 13 is watching!

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)

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•