Three Starr County residents have been sentenced for their roles in a bribery scheme involving the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Rio Grande City residents Roberto Rodriguez, 52, Daniel Diaz, 68, and Jose Sandoval, 71, each pleaded guilty on May 17.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now imposed a 16-month term of imprisonment for Rodriguez, while Diaz and Sandoval received eight and six months in federal prison, respectively. Each must also serve three years of supervised release following their sentences.
At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence of the dollar amount of the contracts awarded to each contractor, including $1,107,228 to Diaz and $709,854 to Sandoval.
In handing down the prison terms, Judge Crane noted that he hoped it served as an example to the community not to get involved in corrupt practices.
At the time of his plea, Rodriguez admitted to accepting U.S. currency for referring applicants for the USDA Rural Development 504 Single Family Housing Repair Grant and Loan programme to contractors Diaz and Sandoval in order for each of them to receive money under the programme.
Rodriguez also admitted he was a loan specialist responsible for approving the loans. Diaz and Sandoval both admitted they gave money to Rodriguez to receive work under the programme.
Each was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
