City official denies any wrongdoing in payroll investigation

(2/16/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- Houston Mayor Pro Tem Carol Alvarado is denying that she did anything wrong. That comes a day after it was announced that four employees in the office had received bonuses of more than $130,000.

A day after the mayor pro tem's office was shut down and its staff of four suspended, Alvarado maintains she knew nothing about it.

"I know people say, well, you know, you're at the top, this is your responsibility," she said. "My job is to hire people. There is no way that any elected official can police every single iota, every single detail that goes on in their office."

Alvarado says she had no idea that the staff received $130,000 worth of improper bonuses last year. While the investigation continues, other city hall staffers are pinch-hitting.

Employee Carolyn Lacey said, "I'm here to assist, you know, and I'll do whatever I can to keep the citizens getting the services that they so deserve."

Former mayor pro tem Gordon Quan worked with three of the four staffers. When he ran the office it was often under budget, and he gave several thousand dollars back to the city's general fund.

He said, "Justifying our budget was very important. So there was no fat in the budget. So when you allocate additional funds, somebody had to see that that had a direct impact on it."

So far no one has justified where the $130,000 came from. So while the phones are getting answered and paperwork completed, a cloud still hangs over city hall. And a council member is on the defense.

We asked Alvarado if she would consider stepping down from the mayor pro tem position. "Absolutely not," she replied. "I don't think this has anything to do with my leadership ability and I have been very up front with my colleagues."

Neither Alvarado nor her council staff has been implicated in this investigation.
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

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