Jose “Flaco” Telles, Jr. Indicted by Federal Grand Jury and arrested by FBI

In Eagle Pass, Texas, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested Jose Telles, Jr, operator of 4×4 Construction, 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.

A federal grand jury indictment, returned yesterday and unsealed today, charges the 43-year-old Eagle Pass resident with one count of paying a bribe to an agent of an organization receiving federal funds. The indictment alleges that in November 2009, Telles submitted a $30,200 bid to Maverick County to construct inlets and junction boxes in Precinct 1 of Maverick County. Telles was awarded the contract by Maverick County after agreeing to pay half of his profits—$5,000—to a Maverick County Commissioner for being awarded the contract. 4×4 Construction received a $15,100 check in November 2009 and a second $15,100 check in June 2010; in return Telles paid the Maverick County Commissioner.

Upon conviction, Telles faces up to ten years in federal prison.
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.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JOSE TELLES, JR.

INDICTMENT

COUNT ONE: 18 U.S.C. 666 (a)(2)
Paying a Bribe to an Agent of an Organization Receiving Federal Funds.

THE GRAND JURY CHARGES:

At All Times Material To This Indictment:

1. JOSE TELLES, JR., in connection with a family member, operated a construction company in Maverick County, Texas called 4 X 4 Construction.

2. Maverick County’s arrangement with contractors who provided labor was that the contractor would receive an initial payment, often times up to fifty percent of the project’s cost, to commence work. When the project was complete the contractor would submit an invoice indicating the project was finished and then the remainder of the funds would be paid.

3. On November 13, 2009, JOSE TELLES, JR. caused a bid to be submitted under the name 4 X 4 Construction to Maverick County, Texas to construct inlets and junction boxes on Juan and Laura Streets in Precinct 1 of Maverick County for a total of $30,200.

4. On November 16, 2009, a Maverick County Commissioner’s Court meeting was held. The Court approved payment to 4 X 4 Construction for the Precinct 1 project.

5. On November 24, 2009 Maverick County issued check number 160 to 4 X 4 Construction for $15,100. The check was deposited on November 25, 2009.

6. On June 9, 2010, Maverick County issued check number 402 to 4 X 4 Construction for $15,100. The check was deposited on June 10, 2010.

7. JOSE TELLES, JR. had in fact reached an agreement with a MAVERICK COUNTY COMMISSIONER to pay $5,000half of his expected profitsto the MAVERICK COUNTY COMMISSIONER in return for being awarded the county work.

8. JOSE TELLES, JR. paid MAVERICK COUNTY COMMISSIONER $5,000. COUNT ONE [18 U.S.C. § 666(a)(2)]

9. Paragraphs One through Eight above are realleged and incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

10. At all times material to this indictment Maverick County, Texas was a local government that received in the one year period beginning on January 1, 2010 benefits in excess of $10,000 under Department of Homeland Security Grant Program Operation Stonegarden.

11. Between on or about November 24, 2009 and on or about June 9, 2010 in the Western District of Texas, the Defendant, JOSE TELLES, JR. did corruptly give, offer, and agree to give a thing of value to MAVERICK COUNTY COMMISSIONER, who was an agent or employee of Maverick County, intending to influence and reward MAVERICK COUNTY COMMISSIONER in connection with a transaction and series of transactions of Maverick County involving $5,000 or more, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666(a)(2).