Eagle Pass City Manager Hector Chavez, Sr. Indicted by Federal Grand Jury for Role in “Pay-To-Play” Bribery Scheme Involving Maverick County Contract
(Press Release) This afternoon, FBI agents arrested 67-year-old Eagle Pass City Manager Hector Chavez, Sr., on federal bribery and obstruction charges related to his participation in a “pay-to-play” scheme involving a Maverick County landfill contract, announced United States Attorney Richard Durbin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
A four-count federal grand jury indictment, unsealed today, charges Chavez with one count each of paying a bribe to an agent of an organization receiving federal funds; falsification of records in a federal investigation; obstruction of justice; and false statement to a federal agent.
The indictment alleges that from about May 2012 through June 2012, Chavez, doing business as Chace Management, paid a total of approximately $20,000 in bribes to a Maverick County commissioner, intending to influence and reward that commissioner for securing a contract for the County landfill project. The indictment also alleges that Chavez forged a personal services contract to conceal from authorities the kickbacks he paid to the Maverick County commissioner; and, that he provided this falsified contract in response to a federal grand jury subpoena in an attempt to obstruct justice. The indictment further alleges that Chavez then made false statements to federal law enforcement agents concerning the legitimacy of this contract.
Upon conviction, Chavez faces up to 20 years in federal prison on the falsification of records and obstruction charges; up to ten years in federal prison for the bribery charge; and, up to five years in federal prison for making a false statement to a federal agent. Chavez is scheduled to have his initial appearance tomorrow at 9:00am in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Victor Garcia in Del Rio.
This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigative Division together with the Customs and Border Protection Office of Internal Affairs. 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 Katherine Griffin 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.
Indictment:
