Council directs staff to hire outside counsel to investigate Homewood Suites allegations after charter language revised

Corpus Christi City Council approved a request that city staff identify and contract with an outside attorney to investigate allegations tied to the Homewood Suites matter referenced in the lawsuit Ajit David v. City of Corpus Christi, et al. The vote followed a lengthy legal and procedural discussion in which the city attorney said the original three‑signature memo on the agenda, as written, would probably violate the city charter.

What the council approved: Council adopted revised language directing staff to "execute a contract within the city manager's authority, subject to available appropriated funding, to contract with an attorney to investigate fraud allegations pursuant to the Homewood Suites transaction referenced in the lawsuit Ajit David v. City of Corpus Christi, et al., selected from the following list of attorneys." Councilmembers provided a short list of potential candidates to be vetted by the city attorney and city manager.

Why the language changed: City Attorney Myles Risley told council that, as drafted, the item "does not comply with the city charter" because the charter prohibits hiring private counsel except "upon the request in writing of the city attorney stating the necessity therefore and with the consent of the city manager." Risley and the city manager said an alternate motion that asks staff to vet and execute a contract under the city manager's…