Patrece Lee, a former maintenance manager at Houston Public Works, is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for her role in a public corruption scheme involving city water-line repair contracts.
However, Lee’s earliest date of parole eligibility is July 5—just five months after she was sentenced—due to credit for time served and other factors.
Lee pleaded guilty in February 2025 to a second-degree felony bribery charge. Prosecutors said she directed more than $700,000 in city contracts to two companies—one secretly controlled by Lee herself and the other owned by her brother, Andrew Thomas.
The fraudulent scheme took place between 2022 and 2023 and involved the misuse of emergency procurement procedures to steer work to these entities.
Lee was arrested in May 2024 and has remained in custody since then. Earlier this year, she was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Under Texas parole guidelines, individuals convicted of non-violent second-degree felonies typically become eligible for parole after serving one-quarter of their sentence. With credit for time served since her May 2024 arrest, Lee’s earliest possible parole review would be in mid-2025.
Several co-defendants in the case received lesser penalties.
Thomas received three years’ probation and was ordered to perform 80 hours of community service. Other defendants, including vendors who participated in the scheme, were sentenced to restitution, community service, or probation under plea agreements.
The case was initially brought to light by the KPRC 2 “Drained” investigation into the Houston Public Works Water Department, which led to a broader investigation by Houston authorities.
In response to the revelations, Houston Public Works announced changes to its emergency procurement and contract approval procedures, including a requirement for multiple levels of oversight. The department has not publicly detailed all of the reforms implemented.
At this time, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office has not indicated whether it will oppose Lee’s potential parole.
Texas law allows the Board of Pardons and Paroles to consider factors such as the nature of the offense, time served, and rehabilitation in determining parole eligibility and timing.
