City employees' hearings begin

Rosita Hernandez and Christopher Mays, two former mayor pro tem employees accused of taking part in nearly $200,000 in unauthorized payraises and bonuses, are having their say today at a Civil Service Commission hearing. City employees who are dismissed have the option of the appeals hearings, at which they can give reasons they should be allowed to keep their jobs.

We're still waiting for details of today's proceedings, but KHOU reports that Walter Boyd III, Hernandez's attorney, said Hernandez was paid out of taxpayer funds to do campaign work for former Mayor Pro Tem Carol Alvarado. It's not clear if that was been one of the non-city business things Alvarado allegedly used the staff for, but we're sure we'll find out soon enough.

According to KPRC, each side will have 70 minutes to preent its case during the hearing and will have the chance to cross-examine the opposing side's witnesses. The former employees are getting to look at the inspector general's report on the bonus scandal, but they aren't allowed to take copies of the report out of the room.

A decision on the employees' appeals could be reached as early as today.