Former city official pleads guilty to bribery

06:33 PM CDT on Monday, May 16, 2005

From 11 News Staff Reports

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HOUSTON -- A former Houston official entered a guiity plead Monday on federal bribery charges.

KHOU

Monique McGilbra was arrested earlier this year.

Monique McGilbra was the former director of Houston's Building Services under Mayor Lee Brown.

McGilbra has admitted to accepting meals, champagne, ski vacations and Neiman Marcus gift certificates while dealing with companies competing for contracts with the city.

Authorities can't say just how much she she may have been paid, but U.S. Attorney Mike Shelby says it was lucrative.

"It wouldn't make any difference if she sold her office for the price of a Happy Meal. It wouldn't make any difference to us," said Shelby. "If she sells her public position for anything of personal gain that is against the federal law and she is going to be held accountable for that."

McGilbra also didn't reveal that her boyfriend worked for some of those contractors.

"Miss McGilbra, through her actions proved that she sold out the public trust. She abused her official position for her own personal greed and today in the federal district court in Houston Texas Miss McGilbra was held accountable for her conduct," said Shelby.

McGilbra could face five years in prison and $250,000 in fines.

Earlier this month, McGilbra pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and extortion in Cleveland. She could get up to 20 years in prison in that case, but will likely receive a lighter sentence because she's agreed to cooperate. She will testify for the prosecution when that trial begins next week.

Mayor Brown's Chief of Staff also pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in a separate case.

Authorities say the investigation into corruption at City Hall continues.