HOUSTON – Texas Southern University is facing a lawsuit after allegedly failing to pay an invoice to a local business for a homecoming event, according to court records.
Houston Tents and Events sued the university last week over the missed payment dating back to October 2025, records show.
The company alleges that TSU had a contract for tents, tables, generators, chairs, and labor for set up and breakdown for a homecoming event. The cost was $24,579.04, according to the lawsuit, for rented materials and labor.
But when the company tried to get paid, TSU allegedly didn’t pay and interest has been accruing at 3 percent per week since Oct. 20, 2025.
With the late fees, the lawsuit alleges the university now owes $71,690.
KPRC 2 contacted TSU about the lawsuit last Thursday, the day the lawsuit was filed.
In a response Friday, a spokesperson for the university shared this statement: “Texas Southern University is aware of the lawsuit filed by Houston Tents and Events, LLC. The invoice at issue has been paid in full. We value our vendor relationships and remain committed to prompt, transparent handling of our accounts.”
It’s unclear when exactly the invoice was paid in full, but Harris County court records do not show the lawsuit has been dismissed at this time.
Houston Tents and Events told KPRC 2 on Wednesday the university is trying to work with the company to rectify the issue, but wouldn’t provide any additional details.
Late last year, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called for the Texas Rangers to investigate the university following a state audit that found evidence of poor bookkeeping and financial mismanagement. In February, TSU launched “Operation Tiger Reset,” a 100-day plan “to achieve full operational compliance, stabilize critical infrastructure, and finalize leadership structures … in response to the recent audit.”
As of mid-June, the university reported being near completion on all audit remediation actions.
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