Pasadena Considers the Fate of Communications Director After Admitting Ethics Violations

PASADENA, TX -- The communications director for the City of Pasadena is in hot water after he admitted to violating ethics laws during testimony in November in a federal voting rights lawsuit.

Richard Scott admitted to using city workers and resources to do campaign work during business hours and sent campaign-related emails from his city account.

Scott's testimony came during questioning by attorney Ernest Herrera, who represents the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund in the civil trial of a lawsuit filed by Hispanic voters.

Scott expressed regret for his actions, and acknowledged that he was aware he was breaking the law at the time.

Investigation of the case could possibly be brought to the Harris County District Attorney's Office Public Integrity Unit, but the Pasadena City Council may act well before then.

Earlier this month, some council members thought it was in the best interest of the city for Scott to either resign or be fired in the wake of his testimony.

“We need to look into this," Councilman Sammy Casados said on Dec. 6. "We have a legal duty as a governmental body now that we know this has happened. If the mayor isn't going to do something, we have to do something."

Casados, along with fellow council members Darrell Morrison, Ornaldo Ybarra, Cody Ray Wheeler, and Pat Van Houte urged Mayor Johnny Isbell to schedule an executive session, or closed-door session, to discuss Scott’s role with the city.

Isbell said that since Scott’s employment with the city was not on the agenda, that it would be more appropriate for council members to meet with him individually to discuss a possible executive session.

However, Isbell later relented and said it would be better to wait to discuss the matter until after the New Year.

"It's premature to hold an executive session for the foreseeable future," Isbell said. "We need to get through the holidays and then after the new year the city attorney, Lee Clark, and I will begin the fact-gathering process. At this point we would be putting the horse before the cart until we have all the facts."

U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal is expected to make a ruling by Jan. 1 on whether or not the city violated the federal Voting Rights Act in 2013 when a city charter change allowed redistricting and reconfiguration of its council system.

Image: Shutterstock