10 years in prison. That’s how long the main player in the waterline contract corruption scandal has agreed to spend in prison. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office made a plea deal with the former Houston water department manager Patrece Lee.
The big update comes after the years-long KPRC ‘DRAINED’ Investigation exposed widespread corruption in waterline repair contracts. Lee is one of seven people indicted.
Lee has been labeled the mastermind behind a multimillion-dollar scheme to divert tax dollars to herself, friends, and family. She was charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, abuse of official capacity and four counts of bribery.
‘DRAINED’ Investigation results: Lee plea agreement details
- The Harris County DA’s office dropped four felonies in exchange for Lee’s guilty plea to bribery.
- 10 years in Texas Department of Corrections with time served from when she was arrested in May 2024.
- The deal is in exchange for her testimony against the other defendants, if needed.
- The DA’s office says they are actively negotiating deals with other defendants as well.
If a jury had found Lee guilty of all six charges against her, she could have been sentenced to up to 99 years in prison and a $60,000 fine.
“This is an outcome I am extremely happy with. We take these cases very seriously. This is not a plea deal with a person we think is the main suspect and they get a slap on the wrist. This is 10 years in prison,” said Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare.
MORE: Prosecutors say just because they have the ‘big fish’ - the investigation is not over
“Basically, I think she has found God. I don’t say that tongue in cheek. She gave me some Bible verses that I gave to her cousin. When she moves to TDC, she plans hopefully to be a minister,” said Lee’s attorney Jay Dedrick.
“I’m glad to see the justice system delivering accountability for this violation of public trust. I appreciate the efforts of the Court, the Texas Rangers, Houston OIG, and District Attorney Teare in pursuing this outcome. I remain committed to preventing and eliminating corruption and abuse. Restoring public trust in City Hall is essential—only then can we credibly ask our residents to invest in the critical needs that will sustain our position as a leading global city,” said Mayor John Whitmire in a statement.
Additional plea hearings this week
Lee’s assistant Danielle Hurts is set for a plea deal this week. Prosecutors described 33-year-old Hurts as Patrece Lee’s personal collection agent. They say she also used the alias “Rachel Taylor” to collect from Lee’s fraudulent consulting business and two other city contractors, essentially triple dipping while doing “no actual real work” to earn the payments.
In a tearful interview this week Hurts told Investigator Amy Davis that she was just doing what she was told.
Several others who were indicted are scheduled for court meetings this week.
Others charged in the ‘DRAINED’ Houston Water Department case
Seven total indictments were announced in May 2024 when then-District Attorney Kim Ogg held a press conference to announce charges of bribery, abuse of official capacity, and engaging in organized criminal activity. Ogg was on her way out as new District Attorney Sean Teare had won the primary for the office.
Last week, contractor Joseph Nerie also reached a plea deal when his felony bribery charges were dropped in exchange for pleading guilty to the misdemeanor of “giving a gift to a public servant.”
SEE ALSO: ‘DRAINED:’ Contractor involved in Houston’s water department bribery scandal accepts plea deal
WATCH MORE: Amy Davis talked to the new prosecutor about these plea deals and what is next for the investigation.
‘DRAINED’ results - changes for Houston water customers
You may know our ‘DRAINED’ Investigation did not just lead to indictments related to contract dealings. There have also been massive changes to the water billing system in Houston. Customers were frustrated over high and often confusing water bills. The billing revamp is still in process for customers. You can catch up on the latest on that here.
