Former Maverick County Commissioner Rodolfo Bainet Heredia Enters Guilty Plea in Connection with a Bribery, Kickback, and Bid-Rigging Scheme

In Del Rio this afternoon, former Maverick County Precinct Two Commissioner Rodolfo Bainet Heredia, age 54, of Eagle Pass, Texas, pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection with an alleged bribery, kickback, and bid-rigging scheme, announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.

Appearing before United States District Judge Alia Moses, Heredia pleaded guilty to one count of receiving a bribe by an agent of an organization receiving federal funds. By pleading guilty, Heredia admitted that in 2010 and 2011, he manipulated the bidding process to guarantee that contractors he chose would be awarded Maverick County construction contracts. Furthermore, Heredia admitted that he instructed the private contractors to submit inflated bids to Maverick County in order to ensure the availability of sufficient funds to perform the construction work, make a profit, and also to pay him bribes. According to court records, Heredia collected thousands of dollars in bribes while Maverick County suffered losses estimated between $200,000 and $400,000 as a result of Heredia’s scheme.

Heredia, who has remained in federal custody since his arrest last October, faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. In addition, Heredia has agreed to pay any and all restitution to be determined by the court resulting from his illegal conduct as Maverick County Commissioner in 2010 and 2011 as well as any and all federal taxes owed to the United States for calendar years 2010, 2011, and 2012. Sentencing is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on November 25, 2013.

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 Attorney Michael Galdo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.