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Next phase of Houston’s water bill improvement plan raises concerns as charges keep skyrocketing
Read full article: Next phase of Houston’s water bill improvement plan raises concerns as charges keep skyrocketingThe first phase of Houston’s water bill improvement plan is nearing completion. However, instead of improvements, many customers are reporting higher bills than before the mayor’s promised changes.
The impact of local journalism: KPRC 2 Investigates’ ‘DRAINED’ series wins duPont-Columbia Award
Read full article: The impact of local journalism: KPRC 2 Investigates’ ‘DRAINED’ series wins duPont-Columbia AwardThe KPRC 2 Investigates team was recently awarded one of journalism's highest honors, a duPont-Columbia Award after years of digging, and uncovering fraud which eventually led to several arrests within the city's water department. Houston Life co-hosts Derrick Shore and Tessa Barrera sat down with KPRC 2 investigative reporter Amy Davis to learn more about the Houstonians impacted by those outrageously high water bills.
Why doesn’t convicted Houston water department manager have to pay back money investigators say she stole?
Read full article: Why doesn’t convicted Houston water department manager have to pay back money investigators say she stole?Hundreds of people have reached out, eager for more details about the Houston waterline corruption scandal first exposed by KPRC 2 Investigates. Investigator Amy Davis is delving into the investigation, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the criminal case and addressing your questions.
All 7 accused in ‘DRAINED’ Houston water contract scandal reach plea deal
Read full article: All 7 accused in ‘DRAINED’ Houston water contract scandal reach plea dealThe final person indicted in the Houston waterline contract corruption scandal has reached a plea deal. Seven people were indicted in total after a years-long KPRC ‘DRAINED’ Investigation exposed widespread corruption in repair contracts.
6 out of 7 people have now made plea deals in Houston water contract scandal first exposed by ‘DRAINED’ Investigation
Read full article: 6 out of 7 people have now made plea deals in Houston water contract scandal first exposed by ‘DRAINED’ InvestigationGuilty pleas this week for several people indicted in the Houston waterline contract corruption scandal.
‘I did what I was asked’: Former employee charged in Houston water contract scandal tearfully denies wrongdoing
Read full article: ‘I did what I was asked’: Former employee charged in Houston water contract scandal tearfully denies wrongdoingIn a tearful conversation with KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis, we are hearing from one of the defendants caught up in the Houston water line repair scandal.
KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis goes to jail to meet with ‘big fish’ of Houston water dept scandal
Read full article: KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis goes to jail to meet with ‘big fish’ of Houston water dept scandalShe’s been behind bars since May 2024 - arrested after the KPRC ‘DRAINED’ Investigation exposed widespread corruption in waterline repair contracts. What would former water department manager Patrece Lee say to KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis if she had the chance? That’s what we wanted to know. Amy Davis went to the downtown Houston jail to meet up with Lee.
‘DRAINED’: Plea deal expected for ‘big fish’ of Houston water dept bribery scandal
Read full article: ‘DRAINED’: Plea deal expected for ‘big fish’ of Houston water dept bribery scandalThe ringleader in the Houston Water Department bribery scandal is expected to accept a plea deal this week. KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis, known for uncovering the department's questionable contracts, will provide updates from the courtroom.
‘DRAINED:’ Contractor involved in Houston’s water department bribery scandal accepts plea deal
Read full article: ‘DRAINED:’ Contractor involved in Houston’s water department bribery scandal accepts plea dealJoseph Nerie had his bribery and tampering with government document felony charges dismissed after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of offering a gift to a public servant.
KPRC 2’s DRAINED series investigating Houston’s bad water bills earns journalism’s highest honor
Read full article: KPRC 2’s DRAINED series investigating Houston’s bad water bills earns journalism’s highest honorKPRC 2 Investigates Amy Davis and team wins prestigious duPont-Columbia Award in New York City.
KPRC 2 Investigates: Surprise spike in water bills, cases increase
Read full article: KPRC 2 Investigates: Surprise spike in water bills, cases increaseWe are hearing from dozens of Houston water bill customers who say they need help with sudden surprise bills. The KPRC 2 ‘DRAINED’ Investigation has been looking into water bill issues in Houston for 2+ years.
‘DRAINED’ Houston customers’ concerns resurface after surprise spike in new water bills
Read full article: ‘DRAINED’ Houston customers’ concerns resurface after surprise spike in new water billsHouston Mayor John Whitmire committed to addressing the city’s water billing and meter reading issues, problems that were first exposed two years ago in the KPRC 2 ‘DRAINED’ Investigation. As the year-end deadline for his Water Bill Improvement Plan approaches, some Houston residents are experiencing new frustrations with their water bills.
‘DRAINED’ Houston customers’ concerns resurface after surprise spike in new water bills
Read full article: ‘DRAINED’ Houston customers’ concerns resurface after surprise spike in new water billsHouston Mayor John Whitmire committed to addressing the city’s water billing and meter reading issues, problems that were first exposed two years ago in the KPRC 2 ‘DRAINED’ Investigation. As the year-end deadline for his Water Bill Improvement Plan approaches, some Houston residents are experiencing new frustrations with their water bills.
‘DRAINED’ results: Houston Water Department ahead in replacing meter sensors
Read full article: ‘DRAINED’ results: Houston Water Department ahead in replacing meter sensorsYou may soon notice a change in your water bill. Mayor John Whitmire announced that the city’s water department is ahead of schedule in replacing broken remote-read sensors attached to residential water meters.
KPRC 2’s ‘DRAINED’ Investigation named finalist for prestigious duPont-Columbia Award
Read full article: KPRC 2’s ‘DRAINED’ Investigation named finalist for prestigious duPont-Columbia AwardKPRC 2′s investigative team has been named a finalist for the prestigious DuPont-Columbia Award for their hard-hitting series “DRAINED,” which uncovered severe issues within the Houston water department.
Houston apartment renter frustrated with ongoing water bill battle
Read full article: Houston apartment renter frustrated with ongoing water bill battleOver half of Houston’s residents are renters, many living in apartment complexes scattered across the city. For those who pay their water bill to their landlord rather than directly to the water department, disputing discrepancies in the bill can become a complex and frustrating process.
Is the Houston water bill plan working? Who is in charge of fixing the issues exposed by KPRC 2 ‘DRAINED’ Investigation?
Read full article: Is the Houston water bill plan working? Who is in charge of fixing the issues exposed by KPRC 2 ‘DRAINED’ Investigation?The KPRC 2 'DRAINED' investigation into inaccurate and outrageous water bills got big results this past April. Now four months into the Houston Mayor's plan to fix the water billing issues we wanted to know if it's working. What's changed? And who's in charge of fixing all of the problems we exposed? KPRC 2 Investigative reporter Amy Davis is looking out for you as she checks the city's progress in correcting the water problems draining so many of you.
No bond reduction for former Houston city manager charged in contract scandal
Read full article: No bond reduction for former Houston city manager charged in contract scandalThe former Houston city manager at the center of a contract corruption scandal exposed by KPRC 2′s Amy Davis faced a judge Thursday regarding her new felony charge.
Former city manager used money from shady water line repair contracts to fund ‘so-called’ charity
Read full article: Former city manager used money from shady water line repair contracts to fund ‘so-called’ charityCourt records now reveal Patrece Lee used some of the money she got in kickbacks for a so-called charity she also set up. Investigator Amy Davis is taking you inside the charity to show you where some of your tax dollars went.
Ex-city of Houston water dept. manager admits to lying about relationship with contractor she awarded millions
Read full article: Ex-city of Houston water dept. manager admits to lying about relationship with contractor she awarded millionsPatrece Lee, the former Houston Public Works manager, admitted to lying to the inspector general's office about one of the emergency water repair contractors she awarded millions to being her relative.
Former city manager used money from shady water line repair contracts to fund ‘so-called’ charity
Read full article: Former city manager used money from shady water line repair contracts to fund ‘so-called’ charity'DRAINED' Investigation fallout. Court records now reveal Patrece used some of the money she got in kickbacks for a so-called charity she also set up. Investigator Amy Davis is taking you inside the charity to show you where some of your tax dollars went.
Former Houston city manager Patrece Lee faces new felony charge in water line repair contract scandal
Read full article: Former Houston city manager Patrece Lee faces new felony charge in water line repair contract scandalA new charge has been filed against a former city manager at the center of a contract corruption scandal in Houston.
Brother of ex-city worker charged in Houston contract scandal claims innocence
Read full article: Brother of ex-city worker charged in Houston contract scandal claims innocenceWe are hearing more from one of the main people charged in the city of Houston’s contract corruption scandal. KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis was in court today for the latest developments in the case that was first brought to light because of the KPRC ‘DRAINED’ Investigation. You may remember, Investigator Amy Davis tried knocking on the door of Andrew Thomas to ask questions about shady waterline repair contracts. He didn’t want to talk then.
‘I’ve never stolen anything in my life’: Brother of ex-city worker charged in Houston contract scandal claims innocence
Read full article: ‘I’ve never stolen anything in my life’: Brother of ex-city worker charged in Houston contract scandal claims innocenceWe are hearing more from one of the main people charged in the city of Houston contract corruption scandal. KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis was in court today for the latest developments in the case was first brought to light because of the KPRC ‘DRAINED’ Investigation.
Top 5 most outrageous Houston water bills the KPRC 2 ‘DRAINED’ investigation helped resolve
Read full article: Top 5 most outrageous Houston water bills the KPRC 2 ‘DRAINED’ investigation helped resolveThe KPRC 2 ‘DRAINED’ Investigation is getting big results! You may know last month seven people were charged in a water line repair scandal, after Amy Davis exposed shady contract dealings. This is after the entire Houston water department changed the way they bill Houston customers. All of this is in addition to the massive amount of money Amy and the team have helped get back for customers with high and confusing water bills.
What’s being done to prevent another city contracts scandal in Houston following ‘DRAINED’ investigation
Read full article: What’s being done to prevent another city contracts scandal in Houston following ‘DRAINED’ investigationA small change to prevent another multi-million-dollar corruption scandal like the one KPRC 2 Investigates exposed in the Houston water department. Our ‘DRAINED’ investigation led to seven criminal indictments. Investigative reporter Amy Davis went to the Houston city council meeting to find out about the new change to city processes.
$4,168.67!?😱 Houston woman sent huge bill despite shutting off water herself to avoid it
Read full article: $4,168.67!?😱 Houston woman sent huge bill despite shutting off water herself to avoid itA Fifth Ward resident claims despite shutting off her own water, fearing a high bill, she still owes $4,168.67.
‘I screwed up’: Contractor charged in Houston water line repair scandal uncovered by KPRC 2′s DRAINED investigation
Read full article: ‘I screwed up’: Contractor charged in Houston water line repair scandal uncovered by KPRC 2′s DRAINED investigation💣 Shocking revelations have come to light about a corruption scandal involving waterline repair contracts in Houston. Investigative journalist Amy Davis with KPRC 2 Investigates has been at the forefront, uncovering the truth behind the shady deals that cost taxpayers millions of dollars.🔍 Several defendants have been charged with bribery, abuse of official capacity, and tampering with government documents. This case continues to unfold, and with ongoing investigations, more people may be implicated.
‘Restitution must be made’ says Judge to former Houston city worker charged after DRAINED probe into shady contracts
Read full article: ‘Restitution must be made’ says Judge to former Houston city worker charged after DRAINED probe into shady contractsDuring her first appearance in Probable Cause court Friday, a judge accosted her for abusing her position as a public servant noting there are still more than half a million dollars worth of unaccounted funds.
One of 7 charged from KPRC 2′s ‘DRAINED’ Investigation in custody, will appear in court Monday
Read full article: One of 7 charged from KPRC 2′s ‘DRAINED’ Investigation in custody, will appear in court MondayPatrece Lee has a court date scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday morning. She’s the first to appear in court following the charges being filed.
‘I think she was doing her job’: Houston’s mayor commends KPRC 2′s Amy Davis for exposing shady city contracts
Read full article: ‘I think she was doing her job’: Houston’s mayor commends KPRC 2′s Amy Davis for exposing shady city contractsHouston Mayor John Whitmire responds to corruption charges against seven people in a city water line repair scandal uncovered during KPRC 2's 'DRAINED' investigation.
Former Houston water department manager now in custody after felony charges in shady water line repair contracts
Read full article: Former Houston water department manager now in custody after felony charges in shady water line repair contractsFormer City of Houston water department manager is now in custody after being charged with abuse of official capacity, tampering with documents. Investigator Amy Davis's work has shed light on questionable contracts within the Houston Public Works department. #HoustonWaterScandal #InvestigativeReporting
Felony charges filed after ‘DRAINED’ Investigation into shady contracts
Read full article: Felony charges filed after ‘DRAINED’ Investigation into shady contractsA major break in our ‘DRAINED’ Investigation into the City of Houston water department. Seven people at the center of the waterline repair contract scandal KPRC 2 Investigates exposed are charged with bribery, abuse of official capacity and tampering with government documents. A Harris County Grand Jury handed down the indictments Thursday afternoon.
‘That’s classic public corruption’: Felony charges filed after ‘DRAINED’ Investigation into shady contracts
Read full article: ‘That’s classic public corruption’: Felony charges filed after ‘DRAINED’ Investigation into shady contractsA major break in our ‘DRAINED’ Investigation into the City of Houston water department. Seven people at the center of the waterline repair contract scandal KPRC 2 Investigates exposed are charged with bribery, abuse of official capacity and tampering with government documents.