Thursday, January 11, 2018

BISD'S "COACH" RODRIGUEZ FIRMLY BEHIND PAL JOEY LOPEZ

By Juan Montoya
As early as February 2015, Brownsville Independent School District trustee Joe Rodriguez let it be known that he favored steering the district's $3.1 Property, Flood, Windstorm, Hail, Boiler & Machinery Insurance business to his buddy – and former trustee – Joey Lopez.

Lopez, the business manager for Lopez Supermarkets, is now running for Pct. 2 Cameron County Commissioner against Rigo Bocanegra.

Rodriguez, a vendor for BSN Sports, has reaped the profits of his relationship with BISD to the tune of millions, so he would know Lopez could make a nice coin from being chosen.

Sales to BISD by BSN which then pays Joe commission in the last eight years have totaled $2,440,222. At a 20 percent commission that would have put a cool $488,044 in Coach Joe's pocket.

Sales by BSN Sports to the BISD jumped from $225,792 in the FY 2013-2014 to $316,758.01 when Rodriguez was elected to the board.

The only FY that was higher before then was in 2010-2011 when BSN raked in $497,116.90 in sales to BISD through Rodriguez, whose 20 percent commission would have totaled 99,423.20. At that time AD Tom Chavez – another Rodriguez pal – recommended BSN to outfit two new schools with sports equipment.

Even though Lopez had not been among the four firms that had answered the BISD's Request For Proposals (RFPs) for then insurance, Rodriguez in a Insurance Committee meeting held Feb. 16, 2015 suggested that the board consider him to get some of the "business."

At that time, the board was trying to figure who had authorized the renewal of the windstorm insurance and had cut a check for the $3.1 million to McGriff, who was also the risk manager consultant for the district. The-CFO Lucio Mendoza said that – in consideration of bond requirements that all the district's facilities be insured at the risk of losing bond proceeds – he had recommended to then-superintendent Carl Montoya that they renew with McGriff without going to the board.

When the trustees discovered that the check had been cut and the contract extended without their approval, they set out to find who was responsible.

It was during this meeting that Rodriguez pitched to the board that Lopez be allowed to "bid" for the business, something that would have been wholly inappropriate and outside the BISD's procurement  process.

Rodriguez said that as early as August 7, earlier that year Lopez had offered his services.

"I stand behind every word I said because it's being said again here about the board not being comfortable with what was presented to come back with new ideas, that's being said again. I have documentation of Joey Lopez – some firm that he represents August 7,...that he called to get some specifics on how to go about asking for the insurance coverage and the details...

"I discussed that there were other people out there other players out there in the market except that they had to be given the opportunity to give them the information to give them time to do that.."

In the discussion that followed, BISD's director of purchasing and the department's agent disputed Rodriguez's contention that they had not allowed others to bid on the district's insurance.

But it was clear to everyone who was present or who is willing to go back and view the video of the insurance committee meeting that Rodriguez was pushing for the $3.1 million contract to go to his pal Joey.

In the end, the BISD ended up paying $2.1 million of the $3.1 million premium to McGriff for coverage since January to May 31.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Joey Lopez is worthless as a candidate for any office. vato inutil!

Anonymous said...

More of the same dirty bullshit. This is exactly why we remain in the depths of CORRUPTION!?

Anonymous said...

Suelta la chiche Joe!!
Vas acaban en el bote.
Haber si tu querida te va esperar.

Anonymous said...

If Elia Cornhole Lopez wins her suit against BISD and forms her "kiddies" foundation, she might put an end to the open corruption of BISD Trustees. Joe supports Joey Lopez, a former BISD trustee, is a natural bond. Joe supporting Elizondo is just another corrupt bond, knowing Elizondo will follow Joe's lead....as long as Elizondo gets paid off. BISD is so bold that the corruption is almost open.

Anonymous said...

Birds of a feather flock together.

Anonymous said...

Coach Joe, if this is true, I would expect you to put a stop to this process and even suggest that you resign from the board. This would stop all innuendos and finger pointing. If it is not true, why do you insist on staying when so many seem to be pointing the finger at you on some unethical procedures. This is not worth what it can do to you if someone decides to go further into more investigations. You have done you time at BISD and it was much appreciated when you led the many athletes in the district, but I think it is time for you to stop and smell the roses. You are hurting yourself and also hurting one of your dear friends who is also getting blamed for your actions. Think it over and do what your conscious guides you to do. Really, Coach Joe, put a stop to all this and hang up your gloves and spend time with your children and grandchildren. Muchas gracias por todo, Coach Joe.

Anonymous said...

When they are making money their greed goes to their heads. They will be easier to catch. Then they become religious and righteous and men of God. That's your future you and your pal lopez. What a pen gang solis, that gringo, limas, cantu and soon both of you. The sad truth is they are all from Brownsville, except that gringo.

Anonymous said...

The time has come to get rid of corruption.
Vote for these good folks

Lali Betancourt
Laura Betancourt
Rigo Bocanegra
Adolfo Cordova

Anonymous said...

El ojete de Bobby Cervantes was at Tetreau's kids school. Wonder what he needed or wants. Could he be applying for a job?

Anonymous said...

(Joey Lopez is worthless as a candidate for any office. vato inutil!)

I agree. I mean, all you have to do is look at his fkn pic!
Otuvius.

Anonymous said...

ECL is not going to win her law suit.
It's a sham, so cross that out of the equation.

Anonymous said...

This guy is so corrupted that I hope the FBI is on his old tail

Anonymous said...

Querida? I thought that 38 year old was his daughter! Damn , he must be gifted.

Anonymous said...

Careful front row Joe Elizondo may have recordings on you and will sell you out too

Anonymous said...

JOEY LOPEZ WANTS TO DO BUSINESS WITH BISD ? HOW THE F**K IS THAT POSSIBLE IF THE LOPEZ SUPERMARKET HE OWNS ARE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS ??!! HE CANT MANAGE A SHITTY LITTLE STORE THEN MUCH LESS AN MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR SCAM.....JUST HOW I CONTACTED THE F.B.I. ABOUT ELIZONDO I WILL DO THE SAME FOR B.I.S.D. ......WATCH ME

Anonymous said...

JOE IS A OLD OLD DICK !

tom landrie said...

Vote Erasmo!

Anonymous said...

Si gracias por todo lo que robo...
Che rata

Anonymous said...

County Clerk Sylvia Garza Perez is the ONLY candidate with experience and proven leadership.

Re-Elect Sylvia Garza Perez
Cameron County Clerk

Anonymous said...

Rodriguez no sirve para nada, es un ratero de primera. Hoye juan, nos cuentan que al hijo de el tesorero del condado lo arrestaron por conducir borracho durante las fiestas de navidad. porque no ha salido nada de esto? Acaso lo estan escondiendo, pues ya lo saben todos.

Anonymous said...

Needs to go to jail!

Anonymous said...

You dont fool anybody old man you belong in prison.

Anonymous said...

You and your damn birds you must work at the zoo

Anonymous said...

You have given a whole lot of you joe keep up the great work these people are just haters and miserable because they cannot do the good things you do...
They are the scum buckets and crabs in our city...keep doing great things from all of us in the service department.

Anonymous said...

We can’t see you just read your anonymous thoughts you social crab keep dragging the community down to infected mosquito....

Anonymous said...

Service department employees want a pay raise mamones. Is this what it takes to get a pay raise at that store. Lambiscones Joey (ha) is this what it takes to give your workers a pay raise. Imagine what this idiot will do once he gets elected, becomes a mamon for the other pendejo.

Anonymous said...

Vote for Rigo Bocanegra the only Choice to Restore our Community confidence..Honest Sincere and Servisible...

Rigo es Tu Amigo

CC Taxpayer! said...

Of course, one crook supporting another crook! Money to be made and get away with it!

Anonymous said...

Let's end corruption and elect Laura,Lali Betancourt, Rigo Bocanegra and Cordova. These are good honest people commited to serve. Go vote and have a voice

rita