Changes are coming to the Houston Airports System according to the city’s Mayor Pro-Tem, Dave Martin.
The expected changes come days after a series of reports by KPRC 2 Investigates into the cozy relationship between Houston Airport Systems Director Mario Diaz and Maricela Kruseman as well as the OIG complaint filed against them.
“I didn’t think it was appropriate that he signed off on the expense report. I’ve had a conversation with the Mayor and the Mayor doesn’t think it was appropriate as well,” Martin said. “So, there are going to be some changes that are going to be made and hopefully we are going to get to that pretty soon.”
KPRC 2 Investigates exposed claims of sexual harassment and retaliation made by a former airport employee.
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The whistleblower’s complaint centered on director Mario Diaz and his subordinate girlfriend, Maricela Kruseman.
Kruseman is accused of sexually harassing the former employee. Diaz is accused of retaliation and not handling the initial harassment claims properly.
The investigation uncovered records of Diaz authorizing thousands in expenses for Kruseman, including a trip to Seattle days after the claims of sexual harassment involving Kruseman emerged.
“When I saw the amount of that, it infuriated me,” said council member At-Large Michael Kubosh.
When KPRC 2 Investigates asked Edward Pollard for his thoughts and whether it should happen within the city, Pollard said, “There shouldn’t be any sexual harassment or anything to that degree in the City of Houston.”
KPRC 2 Investigates: Airports director’s cozy relationship with a subordinate
Other city council members are now asking leaders for their response.
“I think that it needs to be investigated quickly and we need to take any allegation seriously,” said District A council member Amy Peck.
The airport sits in the district of councilmember Tarsha Jackson. She also weighed in, saying, ”It is very concerning if someone is sexually harassing somebody, and so I will follow-up.”
The Office of the Inspector General is investigating the former employee’s complaint, however, KPRC 2 Investigates has confirmed the former employee nor his attorney have been contacted by the OIG or its investigators after his September complaint.
Council members say the OIG ultimately reports to the Mayor. “I think this would warrant an outside investigation as well,” said Peck.
City council member Martha Castex-Tatum believes in the city’s system. “I think the OIG is quite capable of the investigation. I am confident they will do a thorough job,” she said.
Kubosh, a longtime council member, has a difference of opinion. “I have no confidence at all in the OIG investigating something that may be contrary to what the Mayor wants,” said Kubosh.
What about Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner?
While other elected leaders are weighing-in, the Mayor did not express an opinion on Wednesday after KPRC 2 Investigates asked if he had any concerns over a complaint of sexual harassment and retaliation involving his airport director.
Mayor Turner simply did not answer as he walked out of council chambers.