Danielle Hurts, the only City of Houston employee ordered to pay restitution in the water line criminal corruption case, is raising funds through a GoFundMe account.
Hurts is one of seven people charged in the corruption case initially exposed by the KPRC 2 ‘DRAINED’ investigation.
Hurts was charged with bribery and abuse of official authority, but pleaded guilty to a lesser crime of public servant accepting a gift. Her plea agreement requires her to pay $50,000 in reparations.
Hurts posted a GoFundMe link on her Facebook page last week, titled “Donate to Stand with Danielle: Rebuild Her Life and Help Others.”
She stated in her message that she is defending her innocence and that others have used her as a pawn. She left a message: “Your donation will help me fight this legal battle, cover essential expenses, and rebuild my life and business.”
According to the Texas Rangers, Hurts served as Patrece Lee’s “dedicated collection agent” and “bagman,” taking kickbacks from contractors and receiving many paychecks under an alias. This allowed her to take advantage of both contractors and the city of Houston.
Investigator Amy Davis spoke with Hurts earlier this month. Hurts greeted Davis with an unexpected reaction when he arrived at his home. “It’s my birthday,” Hurts shouted, clearly emotional. She turned 34 that day and expressed her concern about the issue.
“I just graduated, and I can’t even use the freaking degree,” she claimed, frustrated that her life had been “ruined” as a result of the charges brought against her.
