Alvin Hospital named in fraud case ...

HOUSTON, June 22, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- A new lawsuit alleges University General, one of the nation's fastest growing hospital companies, defrauded its joint-venture partners in an Alvin, Texas regional hospital project, The Buzbee Law Firm announced today.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of ACHDC, LLC and Palicio Gate, LP in state district court in Wharton County, Texas against defendants University General Hospital LP, University Hospital Systems, LLP, UGHS Alvin Hospital, Inc., and Skymark Development Company.

According to the petition, University General agreed in 2011 to develop a hospital on a 93-acre site in Alvin, outside of Houston, with ACHDC, LLC and Palicio Gate, LP. The agreement announcement was widely covered in Houston-area news reports in October 2011.

The lawsuit alleges University General, a publicly traded company, and the other defendants then began secret negotiations to develop a hospital on nearby land in Alvin and abruptly terminated its project agreements with ACHDC, LLC and Palicio Gate, LP in May 2012.

Attorneys Tony Buzbee and Chris Leavitt of The Buzbee Law Firm in Houston represent ACHDC, LLC and Palicio Gate, LP.

The lawsuit alleges, "After signing the lease, University General represented to potential new investors, and current investors, that it intended to build a hospital in Alvin, with the Plaintiffs. This representation to investors allowed University General to raise millions of dollars during its public offering. Unbeknownst to Plaintiffs, however, University General was also secretly negotiating with Skymark Development Company, another large Alvin landowner."

Buzbee said, "We allege University General unlawfully took our clients' proprietary strategies, contacts, market research, and hospital forecasts and negotiated a secret deal with Skymark for a hospital literally across the street from our clients' project in Alvin."

The lawsuit seeks $100 million in damages, attorneys' fees, interest, and court costs. The allegations include fraud, civil conspiracy, breach of contract, tortious interference with prospective business relations, and tortious interference with existing contract.

Late Thursday, the court issued a temporary restraining order against the defendants.

Alvin man installs perv-cam in ex-wife's shower.

A twisted Texas man installed a secret perv-cam in his ex-wife’s attic, snapping nude pictures of the unsuspecting victim for nine months, authorities said.

Manuel Tovar, 42, of Alvin, Texas, explained that he “wanted to see her naked” when his former spouse became aware of his creepy camera work, according to court papers.

The ex-wife recorded his confession during a phone conversation, the papers said.

Tovar’s perverse photograph was exposed when his ex-wife asked a neighbor to fix a problem with her air conditioning — and the sordid set-up was uncovered in March, court documents said.

A laptop computer was hidden in the attic rafters, with a USB cord running to a small camera. The wife said when she checked the “My Pictures” folder, it was filled with photos of her in various states of undress.

Tovar was charged with improper visual recording after hiding the camera over the bed in his former wife’s home. He apparently installed the camera in July 2011 while patching a hole in the roof.

The couple divorced in 2003 after 12 years of marriage, but Tovar remains in contact with his ex-wife and visits her home to see their children.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/texas-man-installed-secret-camera-ex-wife-shower-months-cops-article-1.1091616#ixzz1xblnRWF2

Alvin Council approves fire department changes

During Thursday evening’s Alvin  City Council Meeting, members unanimously passed a proposal to change the organizational chart of the Fire Department by creating a Firefighter position at a Pay Grade 12, non-exempt salary while the Fire Equipment Mechanic will be deleted. Olan Dyson, who has been with the Fire Department for 42 years, will be retiring in June.

He also serves as the department’s mechanic and fire truck driver during the day. The city was charged with a violation by the State of Texas because he was allowed to fight fires during the daytime and served as a dedicated driver as well as performing mechanical work on the department’s equipment. City Attorney Bobby Kacz and Fire Chief Rex Klesel went to Austin to appeal this violation. Their appeal was granted and the State of Texas will allow the position to be restructured after Dyson’s retirement. This agenda item was approved on the first reading.

 Also approved was the amendment of the city’s 2011-2012 Fiscal Year budget for the purpose of reclassifying the Fire Marshal position from Non Exempt Pay Grade 12 to Exempt Pay Grade 4. This was approved on the first reading. After the departure of Fire Marshal Martin Vela, the city has advertised for his replacement for the past six months. During that process, it became quickly apparent that the City of Alvin was not consistent with marketplace salaries paid for area Fire Marshals according to City Manager Terry Lucas. The passage of this ordinance will allow the city to upgrade the salary for that position, which should entice individuals with experience and knowledge to apply for the position.

The city’s 2011-2012 budget was also amended for the purpose of changing the organizational chart of the EMS Department by changing the title of EMS Director to EMS/EMC Director (Emergency Management Coordinator). Ron Schmitz has been performing the duties of the EMC since EMC Lucas was promoted to the City Manager position. “These two positions dovetail nicely,” said  Lucas. “At this time, there will be no pay increase but should the city receive a grant next year, his salary would then be adjusted.”This was also the first reading of this ordinance.

Read the rest of the story HERE

Houston pig wins court battle!

This little piggy can stay at home.

Wilbur, a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig that a Spring homeowner's association wanted to kick out of a family's home, doesn't have to move, a Harris County district court judge ruled Monday.

The Sardo family's one-and-a-half-year-old pig has been the subject of a lawsuit filed by his family to declare him a "household pet" so he can continue living in their subdivision. The Thicket at Cypresswood Community Improvement Association argued the pig violates its rules which forbids pets that are not "common" and "traditional."

District court Judge Mike Engelhart ruled evidence is clear that this pig breed is considered a household pet and that they are not used for commercial purposes. He also said the dispute puts a spotlight on homeowner's associations' restrictions and residents' property rights.

READ THE REST OF THE STORY HERE AT THE CHRON