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HOUSTON, Texas – The former Chief Operating Officer of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) is set to stand trial in a multimillion-dollar bribery case.
Brian Busby, along with his alleged accomplice Anthony Hutchinson, appeared in federal court on Wednesday as their attorneys debated with prosecutors over which evidence should be admissible.
The jury selection process is scheduled to begin Monday.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Busby and Hutchinson face charges of conspiracy, bribery, and witness tampering.
Prosecutors claim they attempted to interfere with the investigation. Hutchinson also faces a wire fraud charge.
Alleged Kickback Scheme
Court documents allege Busby directed HISD construction and maintenance contracts to Hutchinson in exchange for cash payments and extensive home renovations.
The FBI has been investigating the case since 2018, suspecting a kickback scheme that funneled approximately $7 million in district funds over seven years.
Pretrial Debate Over Evidence
During a pretrial hearing, both sides previewed their legal strategies. The defense requested that any mention of HISD policy violations be clearly distinguished from the federal charges Busby faces.
The judge ruled that discussions about HISD’s procurement process would be allowed but with restrictions on referencing state and district policy violations.
Federal prosecutors have submitted nearly 1,000 pieces of evidence, including surveillance photos from 2018, financial records, HISD contracts, a handwritten payment ledger, and text messages between Busby and Hutchinson.
At least two individuals who have already pleaded guilty in the case, including a former HISD Board of Education president, are expected to testify for the prosecution.
Defense Pushes Back
Hutchinson’s legal team argues the charges are based on flawed assumptions.
Attorney Letitia Quinones stated, “We want to show the jury that the prosecution got it wrong and highlight the extreme lengths taken to support their case.”
Rusty Hardin, another attorney representing Hutchinson, added, “Even well-intentioned prosecutors make mistakes, and this is one of those cases. We’ll let the jury decide.”
Ongoing Legal Battle
Busby’s home was raided by the FBI in 2020 as part of the investigation.
Before his departure from HISD later that year, he managed an annual budget exceeding $260 million and oversaw more than 7,000 employees in facility operations.
Both legal teams noted that some necessary documents have not yet been provided by HISD’s general counsel.
Prosecutors plan to issue a subpoena for those records, with a resolution expected by Friday.
The jury selection process will begin with 60 potential jurors on Monday, and the trial is expected to last several weeks.
