Former Eagle Pass City Manager Admits Lying to FBI in Connection with Investigation into “Pay-To-Play” Bribery Scheme Involving Maverick County Contracts

This afternoon, 68-year-old former Eagle Pass City Manager Hector Chavez, Sr., admitted to lying to FBI agents during their investigation into a “pay-to-play” scheme involving Maverick County contracts, announced United States Attorney Richard Durbin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.

Appearing before United States District Judge Alia Moses, Chavez pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to a federal agent. By pleading guilty, Chavez admitted that on June 25, 2015, he knowingly gave false statements to agents regarding his response to a federal grand jury subpoena, his work on Maverick County contracts, and a personal consulting services contract with an engineering firm.

According to court records, on May 4, 2015, a federal grand jury subpoena was issued to Chace Management, a company owned by the defendant, for all records regarding any subcontracting work done for an engineering firm. Chavez, admittedly, lied to authorities about creating a fraudulent, hand-written personal services agreement he provided in response to the subpoena. Chavez also claimed to have received approximately $24,000 for services rendered to the engineering firm when in fact, the work listed in the agreement never took place.

Chavez, who remains on bond pending sentencing, faces up to five years in federal prison. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division together with the Customs and Border Protection Office of Internal Affairs. Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine Griffin, Daniel Lee and Todd Keagle are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.