Subpoenas handed out in city hall probe

(3/29/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- Investigators are asking for a lot more information about the bonus pay scandal in the mayor pro tem's office.

The district attorney's office handed out grand jury subpoenas Wednesday. One went to the mayor pro tem's office and a number went to other city departments.

The grand jury subpoena was delivered to the office of the mayor pro tem around noon on Wednesday. It asked that the acting mayor pro tem, Michael Berry, appear in front of the grand jury Friday morning. Or, in lieu of that action, to deliver a series of documents requested by the district attorney's office.

The subpoena asks for documents detailing the bonus policies and procedures, not only in the mayor pro tem's office, but in the offices of every single councilmember, though Carol Alvarado's spokesperson says she hasn't received a subpoena yet.

"We'd expect to be asked to testify," said Alvarado spokesperson Joe Householder. "Councilmember Alvarado has expected that all along, or at least to come in and talk to the district attorney. She's available whenever they need her."

This action is separate from the ongoing appeals process of the four former mayor pro tem employees. Their hearing is coming up next Tuesday. Even though several have requested Mayor Bill White to testify during those hearings, the city attorneys are hoping to quash that request.

"The civil service commission is going to consider this Friday what we're trying to do is quash the subpoena. Simply put, we're asking the commission not to ask the mayor to appear," said Houston City Attorney Arturo Michel.

Whether the mayor has to appear or not in the civil service hearings, that remains to be seen. The mayor pro tem is preparing to hand out a memo to prepare documents outlining their bonus procedure by Friday.
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

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