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Travis County DA Investigating Texas Cancer Agency


The Travis County prosecutor responsible for investigating public corruption among state officials says he has opened an investigation into the state's troubled $3 billion cancer-fighting agency.

Gregg Cox is director of the Travis County District Attorney's Public Integrity Unit. He told The Associated Press on Tuesday that an investigation has begun into the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. The agency is also under investigation by the Texas attorney general's office after an $11 million grant to a private company did not receive the proper review.

“There is billions of dollars at stake here and the public has a right to have the agency accountable for the money, and has the right to have that trust in the agency,” said Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg.

The Public Integrity unit is starting an investigation not knowing what, if any, crime occurred, but are following up on red flags.

“Particularly when we hear from the compliance officer there that emails are gone, that sort of is a red flag,” said Lehmberg. “It could be perfectly innocent, but we have to find out.”

The unit prosecutes crimes related to the operation of state government.

By Adam Racusin