Former Harris County Public Health director Barbie Robinson is facing new charges over an alleged scheme to misappropriate millions in public funds. The charges were announced by Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, as reported by ABC13.
Barbie Robinson, former Harris County Public Health Director, faces felony charges for allegedly rigging a $30 million software contract to favor IBM. She is accused of working with IBM before the bidding process, violating Texas laws meant to ensure fair competition. Robinson, who previously led a similar project in California, was part of a team that awarded the contract despite cheaper bids from other vendors.
Robinson is accused of misusing her position to approve an $8 million contract for Disaster Emergency Medical Assistance Consulting, a one-person firm, which was involved in the county's HART program. The firm’s owner also offered Robinson and her husband job opportunities. This led to Robinson’s termination after a investigation revealed the discrepancies. The latest charges reflect a broader investigation into corruption in the county's procurement system. District Attorney Ogg stated, "People hate corruption because any misuse of tax dollars is an affront to our entire community," as stated by ABC13 and CW39.
