DALLAS – A bribery investigation of bond-funded projects in the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District has led to indictments of a construction manager, a school board member and a commissioner for the city of Richmond, Texas.
The district in fast-growing Fort Bend County southwest of Houston last month issued $114 million for school projects. The preliminary official statement for the deal didn't mention the investigation, which began in mid-2015, according to news reports.
Jim Gonzales, chief executive of IDC Inc., was charged with offering cash bribes to school board member Anna Gonzales, no relation, according to news reports. Also indicted was Jesse Torres, a commissioner for the city of Richmond, Texas.
Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office spokesman Bob Haenel told The Bond Buyer that a gag order prevented him from commenting on the case.
IDC Inc. is a civil engineering, and consulting firm specializing in public infrastructure development. Among the company's more than 300 projects in and around Texas. IDC's clients include the City of Houston, Brazoria County, METRO, Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority, and a number of other government entitites.
Steven "Rocket" Rosen, attorney for Jim Gonzales, told the Fort Bend Herald that the charges were politically motivated and the result of a "runaway grand jury."
According to the Herald, the allegations came just before trustees were set to vote on a $240.6 million bond contract with Gilbane Building Co., which worked closely with IDC Inc. Board members ultimately voted 4-3 against the contract, according to the Herald.
Anna Gonzales, elected to the board in 2013, faces charges of bribery, attempt to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery, engaging in organized criminal activity and offering a gift to a public servant, abuse of official capacity and coercion of a public servant.
Before her election, Anna Gonzales and Jim Gonzales opened a joint bank account, which was initially funded by Jim Gonzales with $15,800, according to the Herald.
Torres faces charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, engaging in organized criminal activity, fabrication of physical evidence and tampering with government record with intent to defraud, according to the Herald.
Torres received $2,500 from individuals employed at PBK, an architectural firm that has designed numerous LCISD facilities, the Herald reported.
