Texas – Far-left Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo, who is currently under investigation for awarding a political crony an $11 million ‘vaccine outreach’ contract, raised more red flags when she granted a private security company a no-bid contract.
Hidalgo granted XMI Protection, a brand new company, a $120,000, 3-month no-bid contract and it appears the security detail is based in a mailbox.
“Motion carries 3-2. Thank you guys so much,” Judge Hidalgo said on Tuesday after a majority of the Harris County Commissioners Court approved the contract.
XMI Protection will provide security for Judge Hidalgo for 3 months at a cost of $121,000.
According to an investigation by KHOU 11, the security company is listed as a suite in a Spring-area shopping center, but it’s actually based in a mailbox inside of a shipping store.
KHOU 11 reported:
We’re learning more about XMi Protection a day after a majority of the Harris County Commissioners Court granted the company a no-bid contract.
“I want to make sure that it’s clear that the firm has the experience required,” Hidalgo said. “That, ethically, there are no issues here. … That it’s cost-effective.”
Hidalgo’s office chose XMi after ending a security agreement with the Precinct 1 Constable’s Office earlier this month.
The Precinct 1 Constable’s Office chief of staff unsuccessfully challenged Hidalgo in the March 1 Democratic primary, although no one in Hidalgo’s office has said whether that played a role in the decision.
“Why a public company?” Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said about the new security deal. “Why a no-bid contract? Why the urgency?”
Ramsey voted against the contract along with fellow Republican, Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle.
XMi is a brand new company that lists its address as a suite in a Spring area shopping center. But it actually appears to be a mailbox inside a shipping store.
“This isn’t about the judge. This isn’t about her security,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said on Wednesday afternoon. “This is about why couldn’t we use Constables? Why couldn’t we use Harris County Sheriff’s deputies? We have a lot of options other than a private company with a P.O. Box.”
More from KHOU 11:
Hidalgo has a history of corruption and awarding contracts to political cronies.
Three of Judge Lina Hidalgo’s staffers were indicted a couple weeks ago after prosecutors expanded the investigation into an $11 million ‘vaccine outreach contract’ awarded to one of the judge’s political cronies.
Hidalgo ultimately panicked and canceled the $11 million vaccine contract after questions were raised that it was with a one-person firm with no experience.
