Turner on McCasland's allegations: 'You don't have the luxury of putting up smokescreens'

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said that he will continue to release information as it comes out in regards to Tom McCasland, former director of Houston Housing and Community Development Department, that was fired in mid-September. 

In a report by ABC 13, hours before McCasland was fired, he allegedly revealed details concerned a $15 million subsidy for a senior living apartment complex in Clear Lake through sharing documents with the council showing that Turner had approved the subsidy ahead of several other deals that scored higher on city evaluations. 

"If there are major developments taking place in your department and you are not making that information available and you know it will eventually come to light, you don't have the luxury of putting up smokescreens," Turner told councilmembers. 

Turner further explained to councilmembers that he would reveal more information as to McCasland's management of the housing department, which would "explain that show last week," ABC 13 reported. 

McCasland's accusation of Turner went further, as McCasland stated that the mayor ignored recommendations from department officials by choosing to distribute more than $15 million in federal funding to one developer, which would result in fewer unit projects for the city, according to Houston Public Media. 

McCasland told the council that through the mayor's decision, the city would be granted 88 affordable units, but had the mayor gone with recommendations from department officials, the city could provide 362 affordable units at a similar cost, Houston Public Media reported. 

The Texas General Land Office, which oversees the city's Harvey Relief spending, called the ordeal "allegations of serious fraud or corruption," ABC 13 reported. 

Turner denies any wrongdoing during in the situation and stated that he did not know his former law partner is listed in state documents as a co-developer and co-manager of the project.

McCasland, who had served as director of the Houston Housing and Community Development Department since 2016, was replaced on Sept. 22, the day following his termination, by Keith Bynam as appointed by Turner, Houston Public Media reported. Bynam comes to his new position by way of previously serving as the department’s deputy director for the compliance division and operations.

Turner has since launched an investigation into the allegations, and while has mentioned new information to be revealed, has not given insight into what that information may encompass.