Central Texas News

When local governments are accused of cronyism, the accusation is based on a perception that friends and associates of the leaders received special treatment or favoritism. Cronyism occurs within a network of insiders who confer favors on one another. 

According to researchers at Santa Clara University, cronyism interferes with fairness in the public sector by giving undue advantage [to the undeserving]. Cronyism is often accomplished behind closed doors, which means the practice undercuts the local government transparency in hiring, firing, and contracting processes. 

Hays County Commissioner, Pct. 3, Lon Shell and his predecessor Will Conley provide a case study in cronyism. Jimmy Alan Hall, Attorney says “It is evident that Lon Shell is part of the ‘Good Ol’ Boys’ club. He and a few of his fellow Commissioners do most of their business out of the view of the public. Transparency really does not exist for them.” 

Lon Shell first became Commissioner for Precinct 3 when he was appointed to fill the remainder of his predecessor’s (Will Conley) term following Conley’s resignation in October of 2018 when he announced he would be running for County Judge. By a narrow 37-vote margin (0.18% of the total vote), Shell eked out election to the remaining two years of Conley’s term in 2018. Will Conley did not win his bid for County Judge. Instead, Conley eventually took a job with American Structurepoint, Inc. 

Why are these facts important? Shortly after Shell [was appointed to replace Conley v. ] won [banish “re-election” from your minds] his narrow victory and Conley lost his bid for Judge, Lon Shell began awarding non-competitive contracts to American Structurepoint, Inc. In fact, Shell awarded 15 contracts in 2018 alone, totaling $221,000. American Structurepoint had not previously done any work in Hays County. In 2019, Shell went on to award 33 non-competitive contracts to American Structurepoint, Inc. totaling $583,000. It just so happens that Will Conley became employed by American Structurepoint in March of 2019. To date in 2020, Shell has awarded 26 non-competitive contracts totaling $805,000 to American Structurepoint. Will Conley and American Structurepoint have done very well for themselves, since Conley helped appoint Shell to his seat on the Commissioners Court raking in almost $2,000,000 in taxpayer dollars. 

This Hays County cronyism is not the first time American Structurepoint, Inc. has been involved in suspicious dealings with government officials. American Structurepoint was previously named “American Consulting Engineers” (ACE), and its owners, executives James Wurster and Willis Conner, were indicted for bribery by former Marion County Prosecutor Scott Newman. The indictments concerned ACE giving a $50,000 political contribution plus a job to Indiana House Ways and Means Chairman Sam Turpin. The job was not disclosed, and Turpin allegedly engaged in actions to favor ACE. Upon appeal, it was determined that the Quid Pro Quo could not be proven. However the appearance of impropriety remains. American Consulting Engineers has been involved in a number of other lawsuits.

When officials and former officials take money from individuals or firms doing business with or regulated by the County, the costs of government rise, regulations go unenforced, and public health or safety may be endangered. Mr. Hall said he wonders how many other backroom deals are occurring with our tax dollars?