Name that party--High life for former TSU president

Houston Chronicle:

Standing in front of a mountain of cardboard boxes filled with crystal, fine china and silverware, the former assistant to ousted TSU President Priscilla Slade testified Tuesday that the school paid almost $40,000 for the 25-place dining set.

She also testified that it was tax-free, because of Texas Southern University's tax-free status.

The woman who handled some facets of the finances for the president's office, Erica Vallier, testified that the $39,793.75 bill from Neiman Marcus was paid from funds meant for equipment and furniture for the president's office.

Slade is accused of spending more than $500,000 of the cash-strapped university's dollars on personal expenses, including renovations to her house, drapes and bedding.

Vallier also pointed out that more than $8,000 bought other dining utensils, such as serving spoons. "They went to Dr. Slade's home," Vallier said of the dining sets. "Eventually they were stored in a storage room in campus."

Slade's defense attorney, Mike DeGeurin, focused his questions to Vallier about how Slade improved the image of the university. He asked Vallier how fundraising and travel benefit the university.

He also emphasized that Slade's action didn't differ from past policies.

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DeGuerin is a good lawyer, but he is trying to play a very weak hand in this case. Slade was president of the state funded most black college and her excesses have been on trial for weeks in a Houston court room. It appears her personal luxuries were her main priority. Party identification is not mentioned. When in doubt, guess Democrat.