EcoHub Founder Calls For Probe Into Mayor Turner’s Handling Of Solid Waste Contracts

HOUSTON, TX — A Houston-based recycling company is demanding an investigation of Mayor Sylvester Turner and members of his administration for alleged ethics violations.

During a press conference on Wednesday, George Gitschel, the founder of EcoHub LLC, asked City Comptroller Chris Brown to investigate Turner, and other members of his administration on how they handled the city’s solid waste contract, and look into what Gitschel called bid rigging.

Gitschel also demanded the city attorney investigate Marvelette Hunter, a former consultant and lobbyist for EcoHub who now serves as Turner’s chief of staff, according to a KTRK report. (Want to get daily updates about traffic news and other events going on in your area? Sign up for the free Houston Patch morning newsletter.)

EcoHub LLC proposes an innovative concept of one bin collection of all solid waste, which would, employ thousands, reduce the need for separate solid waste vehicles, routes and personnel, and eliminate the need for landfills, Gitschel claims.

Gitschel added that his system would save as much as $40million a year, as opposed to $2 million as pitched by other companies.

Last month, Turner announced that he would recommend FCC Environmental LLC to replace Waste Management to the city council later this month.

RELATED: Houston’s Recycling Proposal Raises Questions Of Savings, Possible Collusion

Wayne Dolcefino, a former investigative reporter who now runs Dolcefino Consulting in Houston, accompanied Gitschel at his press conference on Wednesday and issued a press release afterward.

“The mayor has refused to release any emails, and not just on the current recycling bidding,” Dolcefino said in his statement. “The City of Houston won’t release records on Mayor Turner’s deal with Waste Management last year, that ended free recycling for Houstonians.”

Meanwhile, Turner defended his decision and the actions of his administration in the selection of FCC Environmental LLC.

"They had every right to submit a bid like five other companies did, they chose not to," Turner told KTRK.

The comptroller’s office is reviewing Gitschel’s claim.

Image: Shutterstock

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