The audit found Jesús Garza used his influence to pay two former city staffers roughly $200 an hour over a 10-month stint. The issue is now before the city's ethics commission.
Then-interim City Manager Jesús Garza , attends a budget presentation at City Hall in August 2023 with Mayor Kirk Watson and former City Attorney Anne Morgan.
Canales was paid a total of $268,375; Huffman received $285,800. Both worked with Garza during Watson’s first stint as mayor in the late 1990s.after the City Council fired Spencer Cronk in the wake of a winter storm that led to widespread power outages. After he was hired, Garza approved contracts for Canales and Huffman through her firm Civic Solutions Partnerships.
Through a review of internal communications and interviews with city staffers, the audit found Garza used"special privilege" to secure the pair's contracts. Garza reportedly told city finance"this had been done when he was City Manager in the late 1990s and early 2000s." "It appeared that their focus was on issues related to organizational health, human resources, and supporting the executive leadership transition as opposed to technical financial issues described in the scope of work for the City’s contract with PFM," the report said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Austin leaders rally in support of Prop A to pay for Austin ISD teacher raiseAustin community leaders are calling on voters to support a pay raise for Austin ISD teachers and staff. Proposition A is on the November 5th ballot and would g
Read more »
Austin Police looking at different factors contributing to rise crime in NE AustinAustin police are upping their presence in an area of Northeast Austin after seeing an increase in violent crimes in the so-called “hotspot” over the past year.
Read more »
Austin police seek suspect in robbery at Smart Deals store in NE AustinAustin police are searching for a suspect involved in a robbery at a Smart Deals store in northeast Austin.It happened on Thursday, October 17 at around 11:24 a
Read more »
Former President Donald Trump to make stop in Austin on FridayAs the 2024 U.S. presidential race heads into the final stretch, the Republican nominee announced Wednesday that he will be in Texas on the same day this week as his Democratic challenger.
Read more »
Former President Donald Trump to make stop in Austin on FridayFormer President Donald Trump is expected to discuss border security and immigrant crime at a 12:30 p.m. press conference at a private jet terminal in East Austin, his campaign said.
Read more »
Austin hires former Dallas coach Estevez to revive club after missing playoffs last two seasonsAustin FC hired former Dallas coach and United States national team assistant Nico Estevez to revive the club after missing the Major League Soccer playoffs for the second consecutive season. Estevez led Dallas to the MLS playoffs in 2022 and 2023 but was fired in June after a 3-8-5 start to this season.
Read more »