A somber Mayor John Whitmire announced Thursday morning that the Houston controller's office, headed up by Chris Hollins, was involved in a "pay-to-play" situation that "has to stop." The mayor alleged that the controller was selling sponsorships to an upcoming city-run investor's conference.

The news conference is expected to be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, where Mayor Whitmire will address the allegations and his plan to ensure "transparency and accountability."

Mayor John Whitmire alleged Controller Chris Hollins was engaged in “pay-to-play” through the solicitation of sponsorships for the Houston Annual Investor Conference. Whitmire said he hadn’t raised his concerns with Hollins ahead of the Thursday morning press conference.

Houston Controller Chris Hollins and Mayor Whitmire are going head-to-head in a battle over corporate sponsorships.