Former Harris County Public Health Director Barbie Robinson Faces Felony Charge for Misuse of Official Information

Former Harris County Public Health Director Barbie Robinson is facing a felony charge for alleged misuse of official information. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced the charges on Tuesday, accusing Robinson of funneling approximately $30 million in COVID-19 recovery funds to IBM, a company with which she had a prior relationship from her work in Sonoma County, California.

According to the allegations, Robinson shared non-public information with IBM before the issuance of a request for proposal (RFP) for services, giving the company a significant advantage over competitors. The contract, valued at nearly $30 million, was for a program called Access Harris, designed to assist individuals with critical needs such as those treated by the county jail or county hospitals. The second-lowest bid for the contract was over $2 million higher than IBM’s bid.

Robinson was fired from her role as the county’s public health director in August 2024 due to another investigation involving a different company. The current charges stem from her alleged manipulation of the procurement process to benefit IBM, a company she had worked with during her tenure in Sonoma County. The investigation revealed emails between IBM employees, Robinson, and other county officials, showing that IBM was aware of the project’s scope before it was made public.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has defended Robinson, stating that the accusations are part of a pattern by DA Ogg to “weaponize her office against those who disagree with her.” Hidalgo compared the allegations against Robinson to those made against her former staff members, which she claims were false and resulted in no convictions.

If convicted, Robinson could face up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for the third-degree felony charge. The case highlights concerns about public corruption and the misuse of taxpayer funds, with DA Ogg emphasizing the importance of financial responsibility and public trust in government.