How much is a secret worth?
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Every month taxpayers write a check for $893,000 to the Cypress Creek Emergency Medical Services (CCEMS) for 911 service from Tomball to Spring. CCEMS makes millions more from that government contract, keeping the millions from the extra bills they send.
911 service is life and death and that is why taxpayers spend so much money on it.
Now CCEMS has a big decision to make. How much is a secret worth?
This morning, CCEMS Boss Brad England was told this month’s check was the last he would get unless the secretive ambulance service turns over the payroll record’s England wants to keep secret. He was also told Cypress Creek will not get another penny in the new budget unless they cough up the records.
This ultimatum comes as CCEMS has three lawsuits against the Texas Attorney General, and faces criminal charges by the Harris County District Attorney for violating charity laws. This week the CCEMS Criminal lawyer Dan Cogdell tried to quash a subpoena for the payroll records on the grounds it could incriminate the ambulance service.
Dolcefino Consulting has been battling CCEMS secrecy for more than a year, but records already show England wines and dines on money that could buy medical supplies.
“Cypress Creek is spending what must be hundreds of thousands of dollars to protect Brad England,” says Wayne Dolcefino President of Dolcefino Consulting. “Taxpayers won’t get that money back, and I applaud the ESD for finally seeing the light.”
In recent days CCEMS has argued that they do not need the government contract to sustain the charity, even though the $20 million budget is virtually entirely paid for by taxpayers through property taxes and medical bills.
Looks like Mr. England has a choice. Let the sunshine in, or good luck paying the bills.
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