Heated Debate at City Hall Over Homewood Suites Investigation Report

Multiple agencies found no evidence of fraud or forgery, but council members disagree on releasing the report

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:55pm

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A heated debate took place at Corpus Christi City Hall over the findings of an investigation into the downtown Hilton Homewood Suites project. Local, state, and federal agencies concluded that there was no evidence of fraud or forgery, but council members were split on when to release the police department's report to the public.

Why it matters

The Homewood Suites project was previously the subject of accusations that developers altered documentation to get approval, leading to a lawsuit against the city. The release of the investigation report has become a point of contention, raising questions about the city's transparency.

The details

Multiple local, state, and federal agencies, including the Corpus Christi Police Department, the FBI, the Texas Rangers, the U.S. Attorney, and the District Attorney, all concluded that there was no evidence of fraud or forgery related to the Homewood Suites project. However, city council members remained divided on when to release the police department's report to the public.

  • The investigation into the Homewood Suites project was conducted over the past several months.
  • The findings of the investigation were presented at a Corpus Christi City Council meeting on January 28, 2026.

The players

Paulette Guajardo

The mayor of Corpus Christi, who called for the release of the police department's investigation report.

Roland Barrera

A Corpus Christi City Council member who was in favor of hearing the report, stating that the investigations found no crime had been committed.

Susie Saldana

A Corpus Christi resident who attended the city council meeting and expressed that the report should have been released so that the city could focus on more pressing issues, such as water.

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What they’re saying

“The public has a right to know the conclusion of those five agencies.”

— Paulette Guajardo, Mayor of Corpus Christi

“CCPD has reviewed it, the FBI has reviewed it, the Texas Rangers have reviewed it. Uh, the U.S. attorney and the district attorney, and they've all found that there's no crime that has been committed.”

— Roland Barrera, Corpus Christi City Council Member

“I think it's time that they put all this stuff behind them and start concentrating on what's important to us, the water. That is our major emergency.”

— Susie Saldana, Corpus Christi Resident

What’s next

The topic of the investigation report will be revisited by the Corpus Christi City Council sometime in mid-February 2026.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the ongoing tensions between transparency and political considerations in Corpus Christi, as the city grapples with the findings of a high-profile investigation and the public's right to know the conclusions.