Houston Official Placed On Leave Pending Bribery Investigation

HOUSTON, TX — Mayor Sylvester Turner has placed the city's director of public works and engineering on leave pending a federal investigation into bribery charges against a Houston Community College trustee.

Public works chief Karun Sreerema allegedly loaned money to Chris Oliver on two occasions, and in one incident hired Oliver's construction firm for a clean-up job.

"I am placing city Public Works and Engineering Director Karun Sreerama on administrative leave with pay, effective today, while I review the entire matter stemming from a federal grand jury indictment naming him as the victim of a bribery scheme," Turner said in a statement.

Sreerema's lawyer, Chip Lewis, said that his client did noting wrong.

"I'm disappointed in the mayor's decision, frankly," Lewis said, as reported by KTRK. "Any conclusion that Karun was less than candid or did what he shouldn't have done is wrong. Nothing Karun did was in any way, shape or form illegal."

Turner said he became aware of the federal action only this week.

"Because I was not aware of the federal case until this week, which is when the indictment was revealed, I am taking this action so that I may thoroughly review the information to make sure there are no further related implications for the city and him," Turner continued in the statement. "It is against everyone's best interest for a public servant to have to operate under a cloud, as Mr. Sreerama and I have discussed in a brief telephone call. I continue to have confidence in Karun and look forward to his return."

Lewis, however, said that his client said nothing of the case at the urging of federal officials.

— Image: Karun Sreerema (City of Houston)