HOUSTON, Texas– Former Chief Operating Officer of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) Brian Busby denied all allegations of bribery during his testimony in a federal trial on Friday.
This trial involves Busby and ex-district vendor Anthony Hutchison, accused of defrauding the district through bribery, wire fraud, and tax fraud.
On the fifteenth day of the trial, Busby testified that he did not pressure HISD employees to favor Hutchison’s companies for contracts.
He acknowledged giving $10,000 to former HISD Board President Rhonda Skillern-Jones for Hurricane Harvey relief but denied any exchange for district favors.
Skillern-Jones testified that she met Busby in a Walmart parking lot, which Busby refuted, stating the money exchange occurred at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center.
Busby recounted his career at HISD, rising from a custodian to Chief Operating Officer, and described the federal raid on his home in February 2020.
The raid involved the FBI and IRS agents who searched his home and seized $90,150 in cash, purportedly linked to the bribery scheme.
Federal investigators reviewed 18 bank accounts tied to Busby, finding about $3 million in cash deposits from 2015 to 2020.
Busby claimed these deposits originated from legitimate sources, including gambling winnings, rental income, and funds from his mother.
He testified that he won significant amounts gambling in Las Vegas, explaining he used these winnings for personal expenses.
Prosecutors allege that Hutchison secured HISD contracts by bribing insiders, a claim refuted by Busby.
He detailed his friendship with Hutchison, noting frequent travel and gambling, but denied any illicit arrangement.
Busby also discussed managing his mother’s finances, withdrawing cash to prevent her overspending, and inheriting $224,000.
He testified that his family-owned daycare business also operated heavily in cash.
During cross-examination, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Johnson challenged Busby’s denials, but Busby firmly denied all allegations.
Busby rejected claims from former HISD employees who have pled guilty related to the case, maintaining that Hutchison’s companies did not require his intervention for contracts.
The trial is expected to continue into its fourth week, with Busby’s cross-examination resuming on Monday.
