This afternoon, 68-year-old former Eagle Pass City Manager Hector Chavez, Sr., admitted to lying to FBI agents during their investigation into a “pay-to-play” scheme involving Maverick County contracts, announced United States Attorney Richard Durbin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division. 

 

Appearing before United States District Judge Alia Moses, Chavez pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to a federal agent. By pleading guilty, Chavez admitted that on June 25, 2015, he knowingly gave false statements to agents regarding his response to a federal grand jury subpoena, his work on Maverick County contracts, and a personal consulting services contract with Hejl, Lee and Associates.

 

According to court records, on May 4, 2015, a federal grand jury subpoena was issued to Chace Management, a company owned by the defendant, for all records regarding any subcontracting work done for Hejl, Lee and Associates. Chavez, admittedly, lied to authorities about creating a fraudulent, hand-written personal services agreement he provided in response to the subpoena. Chavez also claimed to have received approximately $24,000 for services rendered to Hejl, Lee and Associates when in fact, the work listed in the agreement never took place.

 

Chavez, who remains on bond pending sentencing, faces up to ten years in federal prison. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled. 

 

This investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division together with the Customs and Border Protection Office of Internal Affairs. Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine Griffin, Daniel Lee and Todd Keagle are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

The Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce held their 2017 Annual banquet on Friday , February 24,2017 at the ITC Center in which they presented the 2017 Citizen of the Year Award.

During the course of event the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce presented their newly elected board of directors and officers to those in attendance.

District 73 State of Representative Poncho Nevarez was keynote speaker during the event and eloquently spoke to an attentive audience consisting of public officials, business owners/managers and community members as well.

The highlight of the night was the announcement of the finalist and the presentation of the 2017 “Citizen of the Year” Award.

The nominees included Lisa Cain (LC’s Powerhouse), Sandy Tovar (The Buddy Foundation) Gary Sapoff (Veteran), Pablo Garcia (C.C. Winn Student Council), Timothy “Tim”Hardt (Hardt Farms), Juan Martinez (Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center Pharmacy)  

The 2017 Citizen of the Year Award was then presented to Tim Hardt from the Maverick County Junior Livestock Association.

Hardt thanked the Chamber of Commerce and those in attendance showing his appreciation for the nomination and honor bestowed upon him. 

The recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award was chosen based on outstanding service and volunteerism to the community.

The purpose of the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award is to honor and encourage the community’s sense of volunteerism by honoring those who volunteer their time and effort without compensation, seeking the betterment of the community and it citizens.

The Maverick County Junior Livestock Association has received the award in a previous year as a non - profit organization.

Past recipients include Dr. Claudia Rodriguez-Wright, Paolo Alcozer. Romelia Cardona, Humberto Garza, Roberto Mireles, Enrique Montalvo, Jr. and Morris Libson and Dora Libson as well.

Congratulations to the Division 1 Ducks (Glass Falcons) for finishing the season undefeated 8-0. Way to go boys!