Statement from Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare on the Successful Conclusion of Midtown Housing Corruption Case

(Houston, TX) – Today, Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare released the following statement after the successful prosecution of three individuals who stole millions of public dollars intended to support affordable housing and redevelopment efforts in the Third Ward. 

Last week, Veronica Ugorji, the last remaining co-defendant in the case, pleaded guilty to money laundering and abuse of official capacity, both first-degree felonies. Under the plea agreement, Ugorji received a 10-year prison sentence, which was suspended and probated for 10 years. She will spend 30 days in jail and was also ordered to pay $614,694 in restitution and comply with additional conditions of community supervision. In September, former Midtown Redevelopment Authority executive Todd Edwards pleaded guilty to first-degree money laundering and first-degree theft. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. 

Co-defendant Kenneth Jones, who served as a cooperative witness for the state against the other conspirators, pleaded guilty to first-degree money laundering and second-degree theft. He received six years of deferred adjudication community supervision and was ordered to pay more than $217,000 in restitution. Additional conditions prohibit him from holding a government position that provides access to public funds. 

“I have zero tolerance for public corruption,” said Teare. “Every dollar stolen by these individuals was a dollar that should have gone toward affordable housing in Third Ward. Instead, it paid for houses, cars, and vacations for people who abused their power and connections. If you steal from Harris County taxpayers, you should expect three things: We will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will hold you accountable. 

I am grateful to the prosecutors in our Public Integrity Division, our partners at the Texas Rangers, and the Third Ward residents who refused to look the other way. Third Ward deserved better. These outcomes show that corruption has consequences.”