Harris Co. Universal Services Executive Director terminated for failing to complete sexual harassment training
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - Rick Noriega, the Executive Director at Harris County Universal Services, was terminated after failing to complete mandated sexual harassment training, county officials said.
In a memo that was sent to Noriega, Interim County Administrator Diana Ramirez said, "After careful consideration of recent events, I have determined that a change in leadership is required due to your failure or refusal to complete important mandated sexual harassment training. Consequently, your employment with Harris County is ending today. Effective immediately, you are relieved from your obligations of performing any work for Harris County, and you are expressly prohibited from doing so."
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In 2022, Noriega faced some criticism after the jail system for the Harris County Jail, Jweb, crashed while undergoing routine maintenance.
As a result, over 250 defendants had to be released from the Harris County jail because they couldn't have probable cause hearings within 24 to 48 hours.
Noreiga told County Commissioners, "Mechanical things break as Commissioner Ramsey and I discussed yesterday and when they do, you have to pull out a Big Chief tablet and a number 2 pencil."
Man in charge of Harris Co. Jail computer system that crashed under fire for lying to commissioners
FOX 26 Reporter Randy Wallace has more as the man in charge of the computer system that crashed at the Harris County Jail leading to the release of hundreds of defendants is now under fire for lying to Harris County Commissioners.
FOX 26 has reached out to Noriega for comment regarding the termination. We haven't heard back from him.