HOUSTON -- Changes are on the way to METRO. Houston's mayor said that she is replacing five members of METRO's board of directors, KPRC Local 2 reported Thursday.

The shake-up comes at a time the agency is fighting a lawsuit and facing a criminal investigation.

Mayor Annise Parker announced her choices to be on the METRO board. They include her former political campaign chairman, Gilbert Garcia, former Judge Dwight Jefferson, attorney Carrin Patman, and engineers Allen Dale Watson and Christoph Spieler.

In what is expected to be their last meeting, five outgoing members of METRO's board defended their progress in moving light-rail and transportation forward in the city of Houston.

"I think this board has accomplished a great deal," METRO president David Wolfe said. "We are on the cusp of receiving billions of dollars from federal government. It's the first time Houston is receiving money for light rail."

The mayor's appointments come at a time when METRO's work is overshadowed by a lawsuit alleging officials destroyed sensitive public documents.

While in Washington fighting for funding, the mayor said she told transportation officials about the changes on the board, which she said could likely include the dismissal of CEO Frank Wilson.

The mayor's appointees to METRO's board must face confirmation by the entire Houston City Council.

The vote could be held as early as Wednesday.