"Judge (Leonel) Alejandro always listened carefully to the litigants. He was fair, but could hammer the bad guys and knew the difference between a first-time felony mistake and a loser. Frankly, he has better things to do. He might surprise us by appearing as defense counsel in a high-profile case or by associating his undeniable skills as counsel at a large firm."
Anonymous Commenter Dec. 27 after Alejandro's resignation
By Juan Montoya
We in the Rio Grande Valley always like to think the best of people, as can be attested by the anonymous individual who submitted that comment after Leonel Alejandro announced his resignation from the 357th District Court at the end of 2012.
But even if we don't believe disgraced (and convicted) former 404th District Judge Abel Limas that Alejandro was one of the judges that were open to corrupt acts, one example of the judiciary temperament of this former jurist will suffice to illustrate the shallowness of his character.
In early 2008, the East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation requested that Carl and Janel Parker – an elderly couple within its service area – grant them an additional easement to the one already existing in front of their home. The descriptions of the property the utility wanted was sent to them in the form of legalese and metes and bounds the couple did not understand.
After repeatedly asking the utility's managers for a diagram of the proposed easement, the Parkers were finally shown one. The ERHWSC's proposal was not a simple pass-through under a section of their property. What the utility proposed was that the couple grant them 0.14 of an acre whose southernmost boundary would extend 50 feet into their lot and would intrude almost to their front door.
The couple would also be required to allow the utility to bore under their driveway or – in the alternative – bear the cost in labor and materials to move it.
Alarmed, the couple submitted at least four written proposals to the utility which would suffice for the easement and would not be as burdensome to them as the plan requested by the corporation. The utility's managers were adamant. If the couple did not grant the easement, the ERHWSC would move to shut off their water, an alternative reserved to it which its managers said was contained in the service agreement that the couple had signed.
The utility remained adamant. It started a campaign of written and verbal threats to interrupt water service unless the easement was signed. The ERHWSC sent them at least four written notices of their intent to interrupt their service.
The last one was in July 29, 2008, was just six days after Hurricane Dolly devastated the Rio Grande Valley, and particularly the area where the couple's home was located. Alarmed, the couple contacted a lawyer who immediately sent written notice to the utility advising them that the move would violate the laws of the state and the rules of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). He also indicate the Parker's willingness to grant a reasonable easement to the utility.
Nonetheless, on July 30, the ERHWSC terminated the couple's water service.
Even after the attorney's intervention, the utility turned off the couple's water for two periods (totaling 11 days) until their lawyer obtained a Temporary Restraining Order from Leonel Alejandro to restore the couple's water service.
The couple also filed an application for an Emergency Order requesting an investigation into the ERHWSC and asking that the water be kept running until the investigation was complete. The utility, instead of ceasing and desisting, again threatening to shut off the couple's water a third time on October 8 despite the TRO and the TCEQ.
On November 5, 2008, the TCEQ issued an order preventing the ERHWSC from shutting off the couple's water.
After that a series of mediation efforts began with a Special Commission appointed to hear the case.
The Commission awarded the couple $3,000 for the 0.14 acre of land requested by the utility, but also charged them with a $750 fee per commissioner totaling $2,250. They also awarded the utility $8,800 in attorneys' fees.
At the end of the lengthy process, the couple was presented with a bill for the utility's fees and other expenses for a total of $94,619.
However, Mr. Parker would not live to see the end of this debacle. He died in December 7, 2009 of complications – according to the couple's lawyer – of prostate cancer aggravated by the stress and extreme mental anguish the couple endured as a result of their dispute with the utility and its attorneys.
The case continued in Alejandro's court. But in mid-2010 – more than two years into the case – the couple's attorneys discovered that something was amiss. One of the attorneys of record for the ERHWSC turned out to be none other than Jeffrey D. Roerig, of the Brownsville firm Roerig, Oliveira, Fisher, LLP. Through newspaper reports, they found out that Roerig not only represented the utility, but the Honorable Judge Alejandro as well, and not only as the legal representative of his business interests, but also as his personal attorney in his divorce.
"As recently as July 19, 2010," they wrote in their motion to have Alejandro recused from the case, Roerig had filed the certificate to form Aztec Services LLC, of which Alejandro was named a governing person and where Roerig was its registered agent.
Roerig, they found out, was also the attorney for CPEC Inc., and LAMC INC, both doing business as Port Fabricators, of which Alejandro was the primary shareholder and chief executive.
Stating that Alejandro had the duty to disclose such "inherent conflict of interest" and should have removed himself from the case, they filed a motion for the judge's recusal in October 5, 2010.
Little surprise, then, that "Since Mr. Roerig's entrance into this case, (the Parkers) have not prevailed in a single contested hearing before (Alejandro). In addition, the original trial date...has been continued five times. When trial began... (Alejandro) granted all of (Roerig's) pretrial motions, denied all of (the Parker's) pretrial otions, and then proceeded to declare a mistrial during opening arguments on the basis of mentioning a TRO issued by (himself) in this cause, even before actually ruling on the exclusion of such evidence at trial."
Alejandro eventually was removed from the case, and Janel Parker (now a widow) and the utility reached a settlement in the case late in 2012 – four years after the ordeal began – that is still listed as pending in the 357th District Court.
We have a feeling this is just the tip of the iceberg in the trail left behind by the Honorable Judge Alejandro.
Does the commenter above still think he will be missed?
Thursday, January 17, 2013
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28 comments:
The commentor above was probably Roerig. The ENTIRE firm is corrupt. I'm not saying that because they appear legally effective, saying that because they are. look at his main partner Rene Oliveira who was driving drunk and had his girlfriend take the rap and has republicans voting for him in congress becuase he's not present in session to vote as a dem for his own district. some of the minority partners are just as corrupt. the feds better indite these crooks.
Alejandro and Roerig have quite a history. used to bean attorney at roerigs firm. If anyone ever bugged Alejandro's phone or chambers, they would probably have enough to take down Roerig too.
Such blatant violation of judicial and legal ethics on behalf of both judge and attorney are disgusting in the extreme. There was a time when being a judge and/or an attorney was a honorable profession. But this is not that time and this is not that place.
Anon 2:42. Let's hope that is the case.
THE JUDGE AND HIS PARTNER ATTORNEY ARE DIRT BAGS.....JUST LIKE THE OTHER DISTRICT AND COUNTY COURT JUDGES. OH....DON'T FORGET THE ATTORNEYS OF THIS COUNTY TOOOOOOOOOO..........
There is also the conflict of interest of him ordering the defendants of his court to go to therapy with his wife, and her fees were 5 times higher than other therapists
What do you call that?
This is really disgusting, if it is true and it can be proven in a court of law, if they are prosecuted, they deserve to serve time. Imagine the mental anguish that Mr. Parker suffered through the last years of his life. This really disgusts me.
Roerig should be indicted.
Puros culeros y ratas el alejandro y roerig too. bah humbug
"Justice" FOR SALE IN CAMERON COUNTY
GOT TO READ TODAY'S BROWNSVILLE HERALD EITHER ONLINE OR THE PAPER VERSION.....SUPPRICING TO SEE HOW BIG THIS CORRUPTION RING HAS GOTTEN....NOW INCLUDING CABLER AND ANOTHER CITY EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY OF BROWNSVILLE AND.....OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER SOFIE BENAVIDEZ'S HUSBAND... THE LATE COMMISSIONER PETE BENAVIDEZ SR......WHERE A FAMILY MEMBER WORKED FOR THAT CORRUPTED AUSTIN ATTORNEY!!!!
THEN NAMING JIMMY MANRIQUE INTO THIS CORRUPTION SCHENE AS WELL...AND HE WANTED TO BE SHERIFF OF THIS COUNTY....YOU GOT TO BE KITTING ME!!!! ANOTHER DIRT BAG AT WORK....
BE INTERESTING TO FIND OUT WHO THOSE OTHER COUNTY DISTRICT CLERKS AND OR THE DISTRICT CLERK HERSELF MS. PIGGY.....
WHAT A BUNCH OF DIRT BAGS....MAYBE ZAMORA'S NAME WILL POP UP SOMEWHERE IN THIS CORRUPTION SCHENE..... BECAUSE HE MAY KNOW SOMETHING.....ABOUT SOFIE!!!!
NOW THREE VERY WELL KNOWN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HAVE NOW SUFFACED IN THIS LIMAS' RING.....CITY OF BROWNSVILLE,EX-BPD OFFICER AND THE PORT OF BROWNSVILLE....THEIR NAMES WERE MADE PUBLIC....READ FOR YOURSELF
THIS CORRUPTION CASE IS GETTING MORE INTERESTING EVERY DAY....AND NEW NAMES POPPING EVERYTIME I READ THIS BLOGGER OR THE NEWS PAPER....
ALL DIRT BAGS.....GO FEDS
Hola Montoya, Alejandro is one of the fairest judges that we have had in this county> Now, that we all know that he did a favor for Limas doesn't mean that he got any other favors or money from it? Until that comes out in court, I believe that Alejandro stepped down to avoid further "shit throwing by the media and others" and to not disgrace his court. Now, we Corn Hole Lopez mentioned in testimony that she was going to be arrested for "something she did? I take that like she did something that the Feds now know from Solis. So, is she next? I hope so! Maybe her pushing the girl scout cookies too hard is coming to bite her in that BIG ass mouth of hers?
Well, it now is coming out about what others in the Limas circle may have done? Limas and Solis' testimony in that hearing in the Federal court now insinuates that Elia Cornejo-Lopez, won't call her that J word for she does not deserve it! May have done something wrong as Solis put it and maybe something will happen in the future? The testimony further confirmed that George Gavito is nothing more than a crook! That, Jimmy Mannrique, the Sheriff candidate was selling accident reports when he was with Brownsville PD and let go for that? Why didn't BPD go after him? Oh, maybe the Feds will appoint a letter? And, it appears that Rosenthal's assistant Benavides is now turning on the hand that fed him? We all knew that this Limas fiasco was going to "snowball" and who knows how many others will be alleged to have done something for that color green or favorable decisions or conclusions?
Why has the hearld not investigated the fact that Manrrique was in charge of the brownsville police department's public records division when he got caught selling official police reports to rothenthal, caught by then police chief carlos garcia and then released out the backdoor on orders of a local attoreney EG.
Why did the chief then leave in such a hurry, did he know the hammer was about to be lowered and knew he was now a part of it?
When Manrrique went to Limas wanting to be promoted to lieutenant so he could then become chief of police, why did our city manager and our civil service director not report this?
more important what does the chief of police O. rodriguez know about Carlos garcia that forced Garcia to promote him to commander and then push for him to be the existing chief. Garcia did something and rodriguez held it over Garcia head threatening to go to the DA's office. What was it???
For Jan 18, 2013 @ 8:51 AM.
You must have failed reading comprehension. Charlie was not implicated. Limas was told to make the offer of $10,000.00 but he DID NOT!!!!!!! Cabler did not know about the offer if you can comprehen what you read. There is no complications there COMPRENDE!!!!!! You are what they call a comadre chismosa.
Roerig's wife. I know who you are talking about. The affair queen and husband stealer. Letty Martinez the want to stay young ugly bitch. Her vanity will sometime catch up to her. She thinks money is the only thing important in this world. She was also married to Tony Zavaleta. Used him to get her degree and now using Roering for Status. Got mews for you he ain't got any dumb broad
Anything involving Judge Alejandro and kickbacks will also involve his other personal attorney TREY MARTINEZ. Martinez represented Alejandro in Alejandro's prior criminal case.
Then Trey Martinez would appear in Alejandro's court on other cases and win Motions and Continuances every time.
Get ready Benigno "Trey" Martinez. Your phones were tapped by the FBI too mofo! Get ready to join Limas's Greatest Hits . . .
just saw carlos cabler at luis saenz office this morning, so luis i hope you are not going to run interference already for cabler,?
reply GO FEDS. SI LE SIGUEN ESCARBANDO VA A SALIR MUCHA MIERDA, LO DEL SPORTS PARK EMPEZARON CO 8 MILLONES Y TERMINARON CON 37, CHEQUEN EL LAND FILL AHI AY UN PELADITO DE APELLIDO IVORY QUE ESTA HACIENDO CONTRATOS CON MAQUINARIA DE LA CUIDAD Y NADIE DICE NADA NI EL FALTA DE HUEVOS DEL MAYOR, CHEQUEN LA POLICIA EL CASO DE WILLY GLZ LO DEJARON IR Y BALEO A 2JENTES, CHEQUEN EL PURCHASING DEPT LUNA RATA EN COMPLICIDAD CON EL MARRANO DE CABLER,OTRA VES EL ALCALDE QUE SE SUPONE ES ABOGADO NO HACE NADA, COMO DIJE SR MONTOYA SI LE SUIGEN ESCARBANDO VA A SALIR MUCHA CACA. USTED SUIGALE ECHANDOLE CHINGASOS Y NO LE AFLOJE.
Sofia Benavidez attended yesterday's county commissioner's meeting with only one item on HER agenda, not her constituent's. Her only participation was throwing out a "second" to a motion here and there throughout the lengthy agenda. It was not until the issue of Zamora's already promised position of Park Ranger or Park Chief, whatever term they want to use today, did she come alive. Why is adamant in tailoring the job requirements for Zamora! WHAT IS HE HOLDING OVER HER......OOOOOOOOH!
HEY, BABOSO/A, DO YOU RECALL THE $10,000,00 DOLLA HUSH BABY MONEY CABLER SO DEFTLY HANDED OVER TO A RESIDENT AT THE CHACHALACA PARK TO SILENCE HER ABOUT HIM RUNNING OVER HER!!! HE WAS CELEBRATING THE PARK BEING NAMED AFTER HIS DADDY, AND WAS DRUNKER THAN SHIT!!! NO POLICE REPORT NECESSARY NOR REQUIRED...THANK YOU VERY FUCKING MUCH!!! FROM COMMANDER TO CITY MANAGER AT THE REQUEST OF ANDY VEGA, ANOTHER BROWNSVILLE FINEST'S PD OPERATIVE. YOUR PRECIOUS CROOK FRIEND CABLER SEEMS TO FAVOR A ROUNDED $10,000.00 DOLLA PAY-OFF! ANSWER TO THAT MOTHERFUCKER!!! LET'S BRING THE TRUTH OUT!!!
Carlos Ayala is innocent! The millions that he and EG are spending at the "drainage park" are not being used to enrich themselves or any of their contractor buddies!!! Yeah right!!
Sofie what does Zamora have over you babe? Is or was he a former lover? FWB
yeah!! he's got her in a bend over position.....like she likes...she's good at it too...she does it to taxpayers EVERY CHANCE SHE GETS!!!
DON'T IT FEEL GOOD???
The truth is that your blood is boiling and no one cares what you think or say and you are the mother fucker cause you are a nobody who wants the recognition other people have. Go fuck yourself so you can relax and quit being mad at the whole world.
reply.COMPRENDE.... se ve que tu quieres defender lo indefendible, si le hacen una auditoria a la cuidad de brownsville el pendejo de cabler va a salir a balcon junto con el viejo pete gonzalez ya viene lo del sport park, vas a ver cuanta miera va a salir.y por ultimo checa la cuidad esta toda sucia porque ya no hay feria para limpiza por culpa de la forma que este par de pendejos llevan la cuidad.
Will the texas state bar please investigate all his custody battles heard in his court
Promise their are children that are being ignored and reported abuse going unheard. He never reads the motions if your not paying his pockets n his adlitem.
Judge Alejandro is extremely corrupt! Ruthe Moore aka the blackmail queen of Brownsville shot and killed a doctors wife years ago, she never served a day in jail. She makes her living sleeping with politicians, doctors, lawyers etc. One of these doctors got her pregnant. 18 years passed and this doctor paid child support faithfully. A few years ago he is shocked to see he is being sued by Ms moore for back child support, the "child"is now in his twenties. The doctor hires an attorney and is assured it will ask be cleared up. The attorney does an excellent job proving the doctor doesn't owe anything, Ms moore even admits to lying. However months later the doctor is shocked to find judge Alejandro had ruled in Ms moore's favor. The doctor is retired and in failing health. His only source of income is his social security check, his retirement was spent on lawyers fighting Ms moore. The whole case should have been dismissed since her attorney took her case on contingency, this is illegal when it's a child support case. I'm curious what dirt she has on Alejandro?
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