Former Maverick County Commissioner Eliaz Maldonado pleads guilty
By: Jose G. Landa
An Exclusive Eagle Pass Business Journal News Story/Copyright 2013
Former Maverick County Commissioner of Precinct 1 Eliaz Maldonado plead guilty to one count of a federal criminal indictment on Thursday, May 2, 2013 before United States Magistrate Judge Victor Roberto Garcia for the Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division, in Del Rio, Texas, culminating one of three Maverick County Commissioners’ cases charged with corruption, bribery, and kick-back scheme regarding the awarding of construction contracts in Maverick County, Texas. Two pending federal criminal cases against suspended Maverick County Commissioner of Precinct 2 Rodolfo “Rudy” Bainet Heredia and former Maverick County Commissioner of Precinct 4 Cesar Flores are scheduled for Rearraignment and Docket Call on May 14th and July 9th, respectively, before United States District Court Judge Alia Moses for the Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division, in Del Rio. Texas.
Former Maverick County Commissioner Eliaz Maldonado, age 52, plead guilty to one count of receiving a bribe. According to court records filed in the United States District Court Clerk’s Office in Del Rio, Maldonado admitted to receiving a bribe during 2010-2011 through his employees from local construction contractors by manipulating the bidding process to guarantee that the contractors he chose were awarded the Maverick County construction contracts in his Precinct 1. The construction contractors’ bids were inflated to cover the costs of construction, a profit, and a bribe to former Maverick County Commissioner Eliaz Maldonado. The contractors would receive their checks from Maverick County and deposit or cash them and turn around and pay former County Commissioner Maldonado his bribe. The construction contracts totaled more than $100,000 in Maverick County funds and former County Commissioner Maldonado received bribes varying between $500 and $3,500 at least 12 times during the scheme in 2010-2011.
Former County Commissioner Eliaz Maldonado faces up to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, a special assessment fee of $100, supervised release up to five years, and pay restitution to Maverick County for any lost funds as a result of the bribery scheme. Maldonado is represented by attorney Sostenes Mireles of Del Rio. The United States government is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Galdo.
Former County Commissioner Eliaz Maldonado is scheduled to be sentenced on October 7, 2013 before United States District Court Judge Alia Moses.
