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County Auditor responds to latest criticism
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
County Auditor Fidencio Ortiz was contacted by The Eagle Pass News Gram in reference to recent public statements by several key members of county government on the efficiency of his department and the lack of a completed 2012 Audit which is stifling several key county programs and public services.
"The situation with the audits is nothing new," stated Ortiz, "It's been like that for four or five years."
He says that many of the inconsistencies found within the audit (As reported in The News Gram back when the 2011 audit was approved) such as deficient accounting records, no financial reporting process and no budget monitoring on expenses and accounts payable were common place.
"You can go back in the books to any time of any year and the county was in the red, rarely was it in the black," he added.
"Their financial advisor has been here for six years since 2008 and all this was going on and his solution was 'If you need more money, I'll get you more money' and he would get $60 to 80,000.00 in fees and the financing people all got fees, everyone got percentages."
The year he says the federal government began getting involved was 2010 after, he says, that then auditor Carlos Pereda advised Commissioner's Court of budget shortfalls and in response, commissioner's court continued approving contracts.
"That's what got them in trouble, they went over the edge and it blew up in their faces."
SAUL LOMBRANIA PLEADS GUILTY TO ROLE IN
MAVERICK COUNTY BRIBERY, KICKBACK AND BID-RIGGING SCHEME
In Del Rio today, 64-year-old Saul Lombrano, owner and operator of Fiesta Contractors based in Eagle Pass,
admitted to paying a bribe in order to receive a Maverick County construction contract announced United States
Attorney Robert Pitman and Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse, San Antonio Division.
Appearing before United States District Judge Alia Moses this afternoon, Lombrano pleaded guilty to one count
of paying a bribe to an agent of an organization receiving federal funds. By pleading guilty, Lombrano
admitted that in March 2011, he submitted a $14,500 bid to construct 155 linear feet of concrete drain swell on
Rafael Street in Precinct 1. After being awarded the contract, Lombrano never constructed the concrete drain
swell, but requested and received full payment for the project. Of the $14,500 he received, Lombrano
admittedly only kept $5,000 while giving the rest to a Maverick County employee as a bribe.
Lombrano faces up to ten years in federal prison, a maximum $250,000 fine and restitution to be determined by
the Court. He remains on bond pending sentencing which has yet to be scheduled.
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 Attorneys Michael
Galdo and Bryan Reeves are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
Big plans are in place for Eagle Pass and the entire nine county area covered by the Middle Rio Grande Development Council through their Economic Development Administration Grant Program. Yesterday at the Special Meeting of the Eagle Pass City Council, Executive Director Leodoro Martinez and MRGDC Administrator Johnny Ruiz were in town to unveil a much needed project which will construct a paved road which will alleviate vehicle congestion in an area of the city which experiences traffic problems daily. Encino Park in front of Cerna Elementary. The proposed project will construct a two-sided 2,200 linear foot street north and south which essentially will connect Encino Park with Second Street. The new byway will also house commercial projects such as two restaurants which will relocate to this area, a day care and a hotel all of which will generate at least 100 jobs in Eagle Pass.