Gerald R. Eversole and Michael D. Surface, Bribery Conspiracy, Texas 2007

Bribery Conspiracy Rocks Harris County

A Harris County, Texas, commissioner and a Houston-based real estate developer have been charged with bribery conspiracy in an indictment returned yesterday by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Texas.

Gerald R. Eversole, 67, and Michael D. Surface, 50, each face one count of conspiring to commit federal program bribery, and each with one count of federal programs bribery. Eversole was also charged with two counts of making a false statement on his federal tax return by failing to report things of value allegedly provided to him by Surface.

According to the indictment, from August 2000 through October 2007, Surface provided Commissioner Eversole with a series of things of value both directly and indirectly, including checks written directly to Commissioner Eversole, cashier’s checks provided to Commissioner Eversole, payments made to third parties, a loan guarantee, and travel and entertainment expenses.

The indictment alleges that during the same time period Commissioner Eversole was accepting these things of value, Surface sought and obtained at least five lucrative Harris County contracts. These included contracts to house Harris County offices, as well as a construction maintenance contract.

The indictment alleges that Commissioner Eversole repeatedly voted to award contracts to Surface and entities controlled by Surface, as well as used his official position to ensure funding for these contracts.

The maximum penalty for the conspiracy charge is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of federal program bribery carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Each count of making a false statement carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

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