Harris County GOP Under Fire from Federal Judge

Here's an interesting press release from David Mincberg's campaign I thought I'd share. I think the failure of leadership goes well beyond Ed Emmett, and into a general unresponsiveness and sense of entitlement that has ossified the Republicans in Harris County and caused them to ignore the citizens' everyday needs for good government and fundamental fairness for too long:

Federal Judge Questions Harris County Leadership

Emmett’s lackluster leadership cost Harris County taxpayers at least $5.4 million … and counting.

Houston, Texas, May 1st, 2008 — On Tuesday, Federal District Judge Kenneth Hoyt faulted Harris County for refusing to settle the Ibarras case, even though its own legal experts were telling them it was in the county’s best interest. In his decision Judge Hoyt talked about “the absence of leadership in the handling of Harris County’s business” and ruled that Harris County must pay an addition $1.4 million in lawyers fees to Ibarras attorneys. That’s on top of the $1.7 million the county paid to the Ibarra brothers.

“A Federal Judge is telling Ed Emmett that business as usual needs to come to an end in Harris County,” said David Mincberg. “At a time when Harris County government is facing political scandals, indictments, ethics violations, and resignations, the last thing we need is a lack of leadership. What we don’t need is more wasteful spending.”

The Ibarra brothers sued Harris County in 2004 after their civil rights were violated when sheriff’s deputies stormed their house and arrested them after they filmed a raid on the next door property. Harris County used 26 attorneys on the Ibarras case costing taxpayers nearly $2.3 million in billable hours. According to Judge Hoyt, two to four attorneys would have been “more than sufficient.”

“Harris County taxpayers deserve a County Judge who provides leadership and doesn’t mismanage their money,” Mincberg concluded. “As a successful businessman, not a career politician, I know how to run things honestly and efficiently. I have created jobs, opportunity, growth, and success. I’ll bring that same hands-on approach to Harris County government.”

Political advertising paid for by Mike Engelhart, 4402 Holt Street, Bellaire, Texas 77401 in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.