HOUSTON
The U.S. housing secretary and former regent testified Friday that he lost confidence in Texas Southern University’s ex-president after details about a spending scandal became public.
The trial of Dr. Priscilla Slade, the former president of the state’s largest historically Black university, began Friday with the testimony of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson. Jackson was a member of the TSU Board of Regents that hired Slade as president in 1999.
Prosecutors allege Slade misspent more than half a million dollars of TSU money during the seven years she ran the school to lavishly decorate her homes.
Her attorney argued the spending was legitimate and Slade’s focus was on improving the university, not enriching herself.
“She worked 24/7 to save that university,” attorney Mike DeGeurin said.
Slade, 55, is on trial for one of two counts of misapplication of fiduciary property with a value over $200,000 that she was indicted on last year. If convicted, she could face up to life in prison.
