Harris County Public Health Director Barbie Robinson has been suspended following a $6 million contract investigation

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — ABC13 has learned that officials have fired the top leader of Harris County Public Health.

Barbie Robinson was relieved of duty on Friday after questions were raised about Houston Chronicle report about her department hiring a California for-profit company she allegedly had ties to.

In 2021 DEMA Consulting & Management was hired by Harris County to run two COVID-related projects shortly after Robinson was hired.

By the end of this year, the company would beat out The Harris Center, the state agency dedicated to mental health services, by a fraction of a point to run the new program involving 911.

READ MORE: The questions involve a $6 million contract between the California company and Harris County

Emails obtained by the Chronicle indicated a conflict of interest, including communications before the contract was formally awarded.

The report said DEMA apparently believed it had been selected for the 911 diversion project before the deal was finalized.

The timing of the contracts and Robinson’s contacts in California raised concerns.

A county spokesman said DEMA was not a factor in her dismissal.

After its termination, DEMA released a statement saying in part, “Despite factually false rumors to the contrary, DEMA does not and has never had any knowledge of the inner workings of Harris County Public Health.”

Former Harris Center director Shaukat Zakaria spoke to ABC13 on Wednesday and said he was surprised they lost the contract because they put in a lower bid.

“It was strange that a for-profit agency won the contract over a county agency that they controlled,” Zakaria explained. “We were all stunned when the email came that the contract had been awarded, even though it wasn’t. It was our first clue that something was going on. It was one of the reasons why I decided to resign after eight years on the board .”

Harris County Administrator Diana Ramirez sent ABC13 the following statement Friday about Robinson’s shooting:

“Today I made the difficult decision to remove Barbie Robinson from her role as Harris County Executive Director of Public Health. We remain committed to the health and well-being of our community. To ensure continuity of leadership, Deputy County Administrator Leah Barton will step in as Harris County’s Interim Executive Director of Public Health Effective immediately statewide search for a new Executive Director to continue to drive our mission forward Our goal remains to serve the people of Harris County in alignment with our countywide goals and guiding principles I appreciate the hard work of our Harris County Public Health team and their continued commitment during this transition.”

ABC13 could not reach Robinson for comment.