Edinburg politiquero pleads not guilty in alleged kickback scheme involving elected officials

An Edinburg politiquero pleaded not guilty to a bribery charge Tuesday for an alleged kickback scheme that involves two former Edinburg elected officials and a local businessman. Miguel Angel Garza, 51, pleaded not guilty to a count of federal program bribery and a count of interstate travel in aid of racketeering, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday. The charges revolve around an alleged kickback scheme that ran from June 1, 2019 to about March 1, 2020, according to federal prosecutors. As part of the alleged scheme, Garza reportedly helped the two former elected officials — listed as “Public Official A” and “Public Official B” in the indictment — accept bribes from the businessman, identified only as “Person 1” in the indictment.

At least one former elected official denied having any connections to the case Tuesday afternoon. Person 1 allegedly paid the two public officials so that they would vote in favor of awarding a contract or contracts to businesses that he controlled. Garza allegedly used a mobile phone, as well as wire and electronic communications, to help carry out the alleged scheme, which is why he was charged with a count of interstate travel in aid of racketeering, according to the indictment. There were three former elected officials who served on the city council through the entire period that the scheme allegedly took place — from June 1, 2019 to March 1, 2020. They include former Mayor Richard Molina and Councilmen Jorge Salinas and Gilbert Enriquez. Enriquez was adamant that he was not one of the former elected officials referenced in the indictment. “If you’re asking me directly if it’s me, if I’m any of the Public Official A or Public Official B — no, I’m not,” Enriquez said Tuesday. Asked if he knew anything about the alleged contracts or deals with the city that Garza may have been involved in, Enriquez said he was mostly left in the dark. “When I was there, they pretty much shut me up,” Enriquez said. “I couldn’t get any information. I was always left out in the cold. No information was provided to me; they did deals without any discussions.” He added that during that time, city council meetings were sometimes held during lunch hours or on odd days of the week. However, Enriquez said the indictment is a sign that Edinburg voters should really research who they elect into office.