Austin Fires Convention Center Director

Robert Hodge, director of the Austin (Texas) Convention Center, was fired April 1 for reportedly violating city policy.

The Travis County district attorney's office launched an investigation in late March into possible financial improprieties at the city's convention center, which operates as a department of city government. The investigation began after complaints to the city auditor.

Still, City Manager Toby Futrell said, "This action is separate from the current convention center investigation by the district attorney's office, and the city continues to cooperate fully in that inquiry."

A city spokeswoman would not elaborate further. The city's outside auditor, KPMG, will not certify Austin's financial statements until the investigation is completed.

The center, built in 1992, underwent an expansion in 2002 that allowed it to virtually double in size to its current 374,000 square feet. The department also runs the Palmer Events Center.

Hodge had been convention center director since 1994. "In the interim, I have asked Assistant City Manager Rudy Garza to take on a more direct role in the business development and policy operations at the convention center," Futrell said. "In that role, he will be meeting with all convention center employees this week to help in the transition during this time."

The convention center's assistant director, Hymie Gonzales, was named acting director of the department while the city undertakes a national search for a permanent replacement. The last time a city department head was fired was in 1990.