05:04 PM CST on Thursday, February 16, 2006

From 11 News Staff Reports

Click to watch Mayor White's news conference

The staff members who normally sit in the chairs at the Mayor Pro Tem's office haven't been found guilty, but have been put on paid administrative leave.

KHOU-TV

Houston Mayor Pro Tem Carol Alvarado.

The two receptionists who normally sit at the desk outside the offices are among four city employees suspended from their jobs.

The city's office of inspector general hauled away the computers from Mayor Pro-Tem Alvarado's office as evidence in a criminal probe.

"People were receiving pay that they were not authorized to receive," said Councilmember Alvarado.

"The matter concerns improper bonuses that were brought to my attention by the director of finance and administration last night," Mayor White said in a Wednesday afternoon news conference.

This is after four of Carol Alvarado's staff members were allegedly given huge improper bonuses.

Investigators are looking at documents the city gave to 11 News.

They show the four workers were paid were paid $130,000 in bonuses, illegally, the mayor said.

The documents show Rosita Hernandez' base pay was $72,000 and she got $48,000 in bonus pay.

Florence Watkins' base pay was $50,000 and she received nearly $47,000 in bonus pay.

Christopher Mays' base salary was $40,000, but you can tack on a $20,000 bonus.

Theresa Ortiz was supposed to only make $29,000, but received a bonus of $17,000.

The director did not approve the bonuses as required by city policy, White said.

"I want to say that I am deeply disturbed to learn of this irregularity that has been reported," said Councilmember Alvarado.

She told reporters she is cooperating and wants a complete and thorough investigation that left her Pro Tem office empty.

She isn't saying much more.

"That is all I know at this time. I really can't say a whole lot more. I don't want to jeopardize the investigation process," Alvarado said.

"It is possible, I suppose, that the staff did it without her knowledge, but if that happened they're possibly looking at some jail time because they did not follow the procedures.," said former Councilmember Mark Goldberg.

"You hired three of the people who have been put on administrative leave. Had one of them under your direction been given a $50,000 bonus, would you have known that? That would double their salary. That would have had to come through me. I would have to sign off on that," said former Mayor Pro Tem Gordon Quan.

Quan says it is possible that someone could have forged Alvarado's signature to authorize the bonuses. But the mayor says so far there's no reason to believe Alvarado paid herself a bonus.

"But wherever the investigation may lead there's no sacred cow within the administration," said Mayor White.

The Office of Inspector General is conducting the criminal investigation. The information has also been turned over to the Harris County District Attorney's office.

Doug Miller will have more details

Alvarado's office oversees payroll processing, ordering supplies and budgets for City Council.

The money comes from, among other places, your property taxes and traffic fines.

Click here to listen to Doug Miller's audio report