HHS Commissioner Fails To Disclose Information

Nanci Wilson
Reporting

(CBS 42) AUSTIN One of Governor Perry’s top appointees is being questioned about his ties to a non-profit organization that's received more than a million dollars in state contracts.

Health and Human Services commissioner Albert Hawkins has been in the hot seat over problems with the billion dollar contract with Accenture for the welfare system and several other problems with child welfare and the mental health system.

Now, it's Hawkins’ relationship with a non-profit organization and his alleged failure to disclose it as required by law.

Democratic candidate Chris Bell is raising ethical concerns about one of Perry’s top appointees. Bell says Hawkins--the executive commissioner for Texas Health and Human Services is on the board of a non-profit organization that's received more than a million dollars in state contracts.

State lawmakers and heads of state agencies control billions of taxpayer dollars and to make sure the public knows if one of the decision-makers benefits from any of the state contracts, officials are required to file personal financial statements with the Texas Ethics Commission.

They must disclose if they have a relationship with any business or organizations.

CBS 42 pulled commissioner Hawkins filings for the past three years and found he did not disclose his position as a member of the board of trustees for the Texas Institute of Health Policy Research.

In the past couple of years, the group has been awarded more than a million dollars in consulting contracts by the state.Hawkins is listed on the group's Web site and in the group's IRS tax returns. He was appointed to the position by Governor Rick Perry.CBS 42 caught up with Perry on the campaign trail.

“Number one that's news to me,” Perry said. “If that's a conflict we'll get it addressed quickly."

"The problem you have with this kind of behavior is people in power can steer state contracts to organizations and charities they are involved in and can influence state policy,” said Public Citizen spokesman Tom Smitty Smith. “It's a double edge sword."

Failing to disclose such relationships is both a civil and criminal violation. Commissioner Hawkins spokesperson released this statement, “commissioner Hawkins considered this as an honorary position and never attended any meetings. But, nevertheless, he will file a corrected financial statement."

CBS 42 will let you know what happens.

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