Former official guilty in bribery scheme

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 40-year-old former Cameron County official has entered a guilty plea to interstate travel in aid of racketeering, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.  

Arnoldo Romeo Flores Jr., 40, Mission, was the director of Human Resources/Civil Service for Cameron County. As part of his plea, he admitted he used his personal cellular phone and email as well as the internet to further a bribery scheme.

In those communications, Flores discussed using his influence to help someone obtain two separate contracts from Cameron County in exchange for bribes.

Flores provided inside information, such as the amounts of other bids. In one instance, Flores told an individual to make sure the bid was under $8,900 to be successful. In return, Flores received $3,000. He accepted another $1,500 for his assistance in securing a second Cameron County bid. 

According to the plea agreement, the use of his cell phone assisted and led to the bribe payments.

U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez accepted the plea today and set sentencing for June 15. At that time, Flores faces up to five years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He has also agreed to pay restitution.

The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance from the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office and Brownsville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jody Young, Robert S. Johnson and Israel Cano are prosecuting the case.