A former Houston real estate agent and city employee has admitted to misusing millions of dollars in city funds dating as far back as 2011.
Todd Edwards was the former head of Houston's Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority. He had been accused of misusing millions of dollars in public housing funds that were set aside for affordable housing projects. He pleaded guilty to theft and money laundering.
"Mr. Edwards taking responsibility with this guilty plea is a big step towards healing any damage that has occurred in this case," Gary S. Miller, defense attorney for Edwards, tells Realtor.com®.
Two others were also charged in the case.
The agency uses part of its tax revenue to build affordable housing in the Third Ward section of Houston. According to ABC13, court documents show Edwards instead used the money to benefit himself, his alleged girlfriend, and another accomplice.
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"Unfortunately, our tax dollars, meant to improve the lives of Houstonians, were spent on flashy cars, nice houses, super living, trips, and pornography of all things," former district attorney Kim Ogg said in a 2024 press conference, when details of the case were brought to light.
The district attorney, at the time, said more than $8.5 million had been stolen or misused from 2011 to 2021.
ABC13 reports the investigation started when residents of the Third Ward started noticing lots that had been purchased by the agency were not only still vacant, but overgrown. The publication said court documents revealed Edwards had created his own landscaping company, paid himself, and didn't do any work.
Edwards is also accused of giving special bids and information to Veronica Ugorji, who prosecutors claim was in a romantic relationship with Edwards and owned a landscaping company, Cortez Landscaping. She has been charged in the case.
A third person, Kenneth Jones with KCK Demolition and Landscaping, has also been charged and accused of accepting money for tearing down buildings, but never did.
Sentencing
A judge will decide Edwards' punishment. Judge Lance Long will make that decision following a two-day hearing slated for June, according to the Houston Chronicle. Witnesses from both sides are expected to testify.
The publication reports that as part of Edwards plea deal, he admitted in court that he is guilty of the offenses with Ugorji and Jones. Ugorji's attorney maintains her innocence.
The Houston Chronicle's investigation found that Edwards paid Ugorji's business over $6 million and Jones' business over $1 million.
Edwards' first-degree felony charges include theft, abuse of official capacity, money laundering, and misapplication of fiduciary property.
"As a result of the guilty plea yesterday on two charges, the stipulation between the defense and the prosecution placed a 'cap' or maximum sentence, that Judge Long can impose of 20 years in Texas state prison," Miller explains to Realtor.com.
"Without the cap in place, Mr. Edwards was facing anywhere from 5 years to 99 year or Life in prison."
Miller adds the two other charges will be dismissed after the sentencing phase is completed in June.
Sentencing is set for June 9.
Joy Dumandan is an Emmy-winning journalist who is the news editor at Realtor.com. Previously, she was the consumer editor at The U.S. Sun. Joy spent a majority of her career as a broadcast journalist. At Boston 25 News, she covered major news stories, including the college admissions scandal, presidential elections, and deadly severe weather. While at WISH-TV in Indianapolis, Joy was the morning anchor and reported live on location at events like the Super Bowl, the Indianapolis 500, and NCAA March Madness.
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