A.D. Ibarra -Eagle Pass

In an historic hearing which lasted all of two hours, The Honorable Dick Alcalá, visiting District Judge, heard admissions from both sides and suspended County Commissioners Rodolfo Bainet Heredia and Eliaz Maldonado pending the posting of $2,000 assurance bonds prior to the suspensions taking effect. The petition was formally filed by County Attorney Ricardo Ramos on December 28th calling for the replacement of both commissioners in light of their recent federal indictments which have yet to be settled before Federal Court. According to the US Department of Justice, both commissioners face similar charges of participating in an organized kickback and bribery scheme and who both await their day in court. Local attorney Claudio Heredia was present at the proceedings and approached the bench to advise the visiting judge to take into consideration that his brother had not been given any prior notice to this hearing and that he should be given the opportunity to defend himself. Unfortunately for Heredia, however, Judge Alcalá and County Attorney Ricardo Ramos refuted any such pre-requisites by citing official code from the Texas Government Code and the judge overruled Heredia's objections. "The petition is deficient," reiterated Heredia, a counsel of utmost experience and knowledge of the judicial process and a professional in the courtroom, "Because it's based on incompetency and official misconduct and with special exceptions, it would be a violation of due process, plus the language in the petition is so vague, I have very serious objections, Your Honor, there are pre-requisites that need to be met." The judge replied that he felt Heredia had sufficient notice and overruled the objection before Heredia's counsel asked for a continuance which was not granted. "The primary purpose is that he is still drawing a paycheck," stated Ramos, "It's mostly to protect the public," stating that in essence the commissioners have been, "Corrupt and have violated the public trust." "He's innocent until proven guilty," Heredia rebutted, "If this is only for suspension, defense has provided its objection, but I think we're jumping to conclusions, he has not been convicted." With that, Alcalá retired to his chambers before coming out to officially suspend both commissioners where he thanked Heredia for his presence and his professionalism before taking public statements on a large group of individuals who were recommended to take their places. Those taken into consideration by Judge Alcalá included: Gerardo Morales, Leopoldo Vielma, Oscar Cantú, Jesus casas, Joaquin Rodriguez, Billy Davis, Ricardo Salinas, Javier Libson and Alex Flores for Precinct 1 and Rafael Chancey, Rosa Cantú, Joe Gonzales, Daniela Flores-Aleman and Salvador Rios for Precinct 2. Judge Alcalá said that any of these individuals could've come in and done a good job and he personally thanked them all for their consideration to volunteer their time for such an important cause. He also closed by saying that the suspensions are good only until the two men either clarify their legal problems and/or there is an election to officially fill their positions.