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Department of Justice
United States Attorney's Office
Western District of Texas
In Eagle Pass, Texas this morning, Maverick County Precinct Four Commissioner Cesar Flores, age 46 of Eagle
Pass, Texas, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after a federal grand jury in Del Rio
indicted him this week in connection with an alleged bribery, kickback and bid-rigging scheme announced
United States Attorney Robert Pitman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.
The federal grand jury indictment, returned yesterday and unsealed this morning, charges Flores with five
counts of receiving bribes. The indictment alleges that in 2010 and 2011, Flores manipulated the bidding
process to guarantee that contractors he chose would be awarded Maverick County construction contracts.
Those contractors deposited the checks issued to them by Maverick County and then made cash payments to
Flores. According to the indictment, the private contractors submitted inflated bids to Maverick County in
order for there to be sufficient funds to perform the construction work, make a profit, and pay the bribe to
Flores.
Upon conviction, Flores faces up to ten years in federal prison for each bribery charge. Flores appeared before
Magistrate Judge Victor Roberto Garcia this morning in Del Rio for his Initial Appearance. Bond for Flores
was set at $40,000.
This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Texas Department
of Public Safety. Individuals who have first-hand information about corruption, fraud, or bribery related to
Maverick County are urged to contact the FBI at (210) 225-6741.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael Galdo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is
presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Staff
-Eagle Pass
On Wednesday, January 16th, a ceremony was held in which attorney Patricia O. Alvarez was given the responsibility by the United States Department of Justice to function as Judge of the 4th Court of Appeals.
Felipe Hernandez, President of the Maverick County Bar Association, informed The News Gram that the event was to take place yesterday at the Old Maverick County Court House.
Staff
-Eagle Pass
The Texas Judicial Commission forwarded a letter to Maverick County Judge David Saucedo which establishes that Justice of the Peace of Precinct 2 Cesar Perez should be suspended without pay until his case is heard in District Court.
The document was received a little after noon on Wednesday at the County Judge's office who stated that the Judicial Conduct Commission's decision should be affected immediately.
Justice of the Peace Perez, and his secretaries Elisa Martinez and Martha Zamarripa were arrested on Friday on two State charges of theft by a public servant and engaging in organized criminal activity.
Saucedo also informed The News Gram that the issue needs to be discussed at the next meeting of Commissioner's Court in order for the county to make a decision as to what and how the situation should be handled at this juncture.
The three defendants in this case recuperated their liberty by posting $12,000.00 bond.
County Attorney Rick Ramos stated that the case of JP Perez needs to be handled differently than those of our two county commissioners who are facing federal charges and who he has petitioned District Court to have them removed. This process is a longer, more drawn out process compared to Judge Perez' which comes directly from the State.