Introduction to the Scandal
A federal jury has found a former Houston Independent School District executive and a vendor guilty of a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme. The scheme involved the executive, Brian Busby, and the vendor, Anthony Hutchison, who were accused of bribing district officials to award contracts to Hutchison’s company.
The Scheme Unfolds
The jury heard from over 50 witnesses, including five former district officials who allegedly received bribe payments. Busby, the former chief operating officer, and Hutchison, the former vendor, were found guilty on all 33 counts of bribery, conspiracy, and witness tampering. The scheme involved Busby helping to award Hutchison’s company, Southwest Wholesale LLC, major school construction and maintenance contracts in return for cash and home remodeling projects.
Key Players Involved
Five former district officials pleaded guilty in the conspiracy, including:
- Former school board president Rhonda Skillern-Jones
- Former officer of construction services Derrick Sanders
- Former general manager of facilities Alfred Hoskins
- Area manager for maintenance, north, Luis Tovar
- Area manager for maintenance, south, Gerron Hall
These officials testified in the trial and described the pressure that Busby allegedly put on them to continue providing Hutchison’s company with more work.
The Bribery Scheme in Action
The group received tens of thousands of dollars over 2017 and 2018 in the scheme, according to the Department of Justice. Skillern-Jones testified that Busby encouraged her to use Southwest Wholesale LLC on school projects with funds remaining from the school bond passed in 2012. They agreed they could make money off of the projects if the contract was awarded to Hutchison’s company. In return, Busby met with Skillern-Jones in a Walmart parking lot to hand her $12,000 in cash as part of the scheme.
Lavish Trips and False Tax Returns
Some involved in the scheme accepted cash bribes during lavish trips to Las Vegas, prosecutors alleged. Hutchison is also accused of filing false tax returns in 2017 and 2018, making $3 million in cash deposits over the course of five years that were not declared in his income tax returns.
Sentencing and Aftermath
Busby and Hutchison will be sentenced in June and are permitted to remain on bonds before the sentencing. The guilty verdicts mark the end of a weeks-long trial that shed light on the corruption and bribery scheme that plagued the Houston Independent School District.
Conclusion
The bribery scheme involving Brian Busby and Anthony Hutchison is a shocking example of corruption in the education system. The guilty verdicts serve as a reminder that those in positions of power will be held accountable for their actions. The scheme not only damaged the reputation of the Houston Independent School District but also undermined the trust of the community. As the district moves forward, it is essential to implement measures to prevent such corruption in the future and ensure that the interests of the students and the community are prioritized.
