Patrece Lee, former Houston Water Department. director has bail set at more than $400,000 in water main repair contract scandal

HOUSTON – Justice appears to be moving forward as KPRC 2 continues its ongoing investigation “VIDEO.”

Patrece Lee, the former director of the Houston Water Department, appeared in Probable Cause (PC) Court on Friday, where a judge set her bond at $460,000. It was just a day after Houston Public Works’ former maintenance chief was arrested on bribery and “abuse of official capacity” charges involving questionable water pipe repair contracts.

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During his appearance, the PC court judge accused Lee of abusing his position as a public servant.

“Public servants have different standards to meet, whether we like it or not,” she said. “There is still over $700,000 in unaccounted funds. And even if the defendant has these funds somewhere, or if the co-actors have these funds somewhere, restitution must be made.

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As a result, Lee’s bail was set at $400,000 for a first-degree felony charge of abuse of official capacity and four counts of bribery, each at $15,000.

She is one of seven people charged in the scandal, including her brother Andrew Thomas. Here is a list of everyone else included in the charges and what they face:

Danielle is in pain: Abuse of official capacity and corruption

The other four defendants were contractors and business owners accused of corruption for making payments to Lee in exchange for handling water line repairs, inspections and payments from the city.

Joseph Nerie, owner of Nerie Construction: One charge of Bribery (2nd Degree Misdemeanor), one charge of Tampering with a Government Document (State Jail Misdemeanor)

Edelmiro Castillo, owner of Omega Engineering, Inc.: Corruption (2nd degree misdemeanor), falsification of a government document (state prison misdemeanor)

Tieasha Coleman Houston, owner of TJ Cole Enterprises, LLC: Corruption (2nd degree offense)

Frank Perkins, owner of CST Connections, LLC: Corruption (2nd degree offense)

On Friday, Lee asked for a court-appointed attorney, saying she had no money to hire legal representation. However, on Monday, when she was initially scheduled to appear in court, the lawyer her family had hired was unavailable.

His first hearing will be scheduled for Tuesday.