Houston Water Department Bribery Scandal

Patrece Lee, a former manager in Houston’s Public Works Department, pleaded guilty to bribery charges after orchestrating a scheme that defrauded the city of over $700,000. She funneled emergency water line repair projects to her brother’s construction company and accepted kickbacks from other vendors. As part of a plea deal, Lee was sentenced to 10 years in prison and agreed to testify against other defendants involved in the scheme.