The Astros hired former Harris County Judge Jon Lindsay to
help build support for a new ballpark and review stadium
financing plans, according to John Williams of the HOUSTON
CHRONICLE. Lindsay has served as an outside consultant for the
club in recent weeks, working with county officials and team
execs to develop a financing structure for a new facility.
Astros Senior VP Bob McClaren said the team sought Lindsay
because he was instrumental in pushing through the '87 Astrodome
renovation and has developed other large Houston-area projects
(HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/14).
CONFLICT OF INTEREST CITED: John Williams also notes some
local officials believe Lindsay's hiring could be considered a
conflict of interest if Harris County Judge Robert Eckels asks
the TX Legislature for special financing tools toward a new
ballpark. Lindsay, who declined to seek re-election as judge two
years ago amid an investigation into his campaign finances (he
was later indicted on a charge of lying on campaign expense
reports - but the case is still pending), will soon be a TX state
senator. He recently won a GOP primary for a vacant Senate seat
and will run unopposed in November. Lindsay said he is "doing
nothing wrong" and will stop working for the Astros before taking
his senatorial office (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/14).
