MCALLEN, Texas – A former border county commissioner, a former city commissioner, and a local attorney face federal fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges. The charges come in connection with a long-term bribery scheme over construction contracts. A former municipal judge already pleaded guilty to his role in the case.
This week, federal agents arrested former Hidalgo County Commissioner Arturo “A.C.” Cuellar Jr., 65, former Hidalgo City Commissioner John Cuellar, 56, and local attorney Daniel Garcia on fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy charges, information provided to Breitbart News by the U.S. Attorney’s Office revealed. The arrest comes just days after Rio Grande City Municipal Judge Leo Lopez pleaded guilty to his role in the case.
The two newly arrested politicians and the attorney are expected to go before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on Monday where they will be formally notified of the charges filed against them.
According to prosecutors, the city of Weslaco’s water plant was in violation of environmental regulations and needed heavy structural projects. In 2007, the city voted to issue $28 million in bonds to finance the water plant projects. That figure soon snowballed to close to $40 million. Investigators allege that three companies funneled millions in bribes to the political figures in order to secure the contracts.