Some people in town may be sleeping a bit less soundly today after a second arrest was made Thursday afternoon in connection with the investigation of the Brownsville’s former zoning administrator Noe Puga.
Puga, 53, was arrested Wednesday at his Brownsville home on 13 charges, including theft by a public servant. It is a third-degree state jail felony, meaning the value of the property or services stolen is $1,500 or more, but less than $20,000,Puga also faces six counts of tampering with government records and six counts of forgery. Brownsville police and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force made the arrest.
Investigators also secured a warrant for Tampering with Government Records on Antonio Menchaca, a Puga co-worker. The arrest was related to the Puga investigation, police said.
Menchaca turned himself in Thursday and was given a $5000 dollar bond. The case remains under investigation.
For years, local businessmen and people who had to deal with the City of Brownsville Planning and Zoning and building inspectors have complained about the hurdles placed before them by city staffers.
Often their investments are held up for one reason or another. Only after dealing with this bureaucrat or another and dishing out bucks to address this or that concern do they finally get the required permits and certificates to do business.
Some of those "payments," it now appears, were made not to the city, but to the individuals representing it.
A former city commissioner recalled that when the owner of the no longer existing Red Snapper restaurant was denied a permit by the city, the owner called him and he made a call to inspections and told them the owner was his friend.
The permit was then given to the restaurant.
"My friend told me the matter had been cleared but that the inspector wanted $75," he recalled. "I called the department and the inspector left without the $75. That's just the way things are run there. Everyone knows it."
There have been few details released on the charges made against former zoning director. He was employed by the city from April 26, 1994, to Aug. 27, 2015.
He retired in August 2015.
Often their investments are held up for one reason or another. Only after dealing with this bureaucrat or another and dishing out bucks to address this or that concern do they finally get the required permits and certificates to do business.
Some of those "payments," it now appears, were made not to the city, but to the individuals representing it.
A former city commissioner recalled that when the owner of the no longer existing Red Snapper restaurant was denied a permit by the city, the owner called him and he made a call to inspections and told them the owner was his friend.
The permit was then given to the restaurant.
"My friend told me the matter had been cleared but that the inspector wanted $75," he recalled. "I called the department and the inspector left without the $75. That's just the way things are run there. Everyone knows it."
There have been few details released on the charges made against former zoning director. He was employed by the city from April 26, 1994, to Aug. 27, 2015.
He retired in August 2015.
Puga was arraigned Wednesday and issued a $56,000 bond. He made bail the same day.
Now sources are telling us that when Menchaca turned himself in, he broke down and allowed himself to be questioned by detectives.
"He actually broke down and started singing, telling them everything," said a source close to the department. "There are gong to be a lot of people involved in this. He didn't hold back.
Menchaca at one time worked at the Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office nad some people were saying that he had opened up a private car-registration company in the Southmost area contracting with the county.
However, Tax Assessor-Collector Tony Yzaguirre said it was not Menchaca who had the contract with the county, but one of his relatives.
"Antonio does not have anything to do with the business on Southmost," he said. "When he left the county, he opened his own business. He did not do business with this office."A detailed information on the nature of the charges has not been made.
All police are saying is that both arrests stemmed from an internal audit of the planning and zoning department that revealed discrepancies.
All police are saying is that both arrests stemmed from an internal audit of the planning and zoning department that revealed discrepancies.
According to the COB website, the goals and objectives of the P and Z Dept. are to:
· Regulate the zoning and rezoning of property to comply with the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
· Plan for and assist with the implementation of several existing City plans.
· Promote preservation in accordance with the comprehensive plan and City ordinances.
· Improve economic vitality through various programs and projects.
Objectives:
· Provide exceptional customer service on a daily basis.
· Prepare and facilitate the implementation of needed plans, studies, and reports.
· Conduct an assessment of existing ordinances and regulations administered by the Department and propose amendments as warranted.
· Provide assistance to other city departments and agencies in identifying available local, state, and federal financial assistance programs.
17 comments:
I can't wait to see Yzaguirre behind bars. Viejo rata!
Small potatoes. How about Juliet and most markedly Tony (2.3 mill for starters) Oh, and Debbie, don't even think about it. Rene has enough troubles of his own at tne moment
City rumor is that library director Jerry Hedgecock is operating his personal business within the library using city property.
These are the baby mice. You want to catch the Big Rats look at the Building Dept. It's obvious. But this is a reflection of leadership. Puro corruptcion. Starting at the TOP.
sigan escarbando public works,purchasing,city manager office,parks dept, health dept.y van a encontrar muchos malos manejos.
Look into EVARISTO GAMEZ PERMITTING DIRECTOR AND LEONEL GARZA ASSISTANT PERMITTING DIRECTOR. THESE TWO NEED TO BE HAVE INVESTIGATION ON THEM.
The investigation of Puga should include a review of all zoning decisions made during his tenure. It is the "mordida" that has caused the dysfunction in zoning administration and therefore the Planning Department surely suffers from the same dysfunction. Of course, the City Manager, Charlie Cabler should be scrutinized also. This dysfunction is called "corruption" and this city, county and the RGV is plagued by "corruption". Local officials, elected or not, seem to expect corruption and do nothing until outside investigations are initiated. They believe, as Dr. Tony Zavaleta. our infamous "all knowing" local anthropologist has said..."Corruption is a part of the Mexican culture and we should just accept it." That's a theme the Cameron County Democratic Party instills in its candidates and voters.
I would look into the building inspection dept start at the top.shenanigans going on for years
MONTOYA...ya empezaron ahora hay que terminar.por ejemplo en que quedo el caso del tal wuilly gonzalez ahi sigue trabajando en health dept que porque es hijo de una fulana que le hizo favores al city manager y al jefe de la policia por eso no le hicieron cargos y el herido quedo paralitico,ya es hora de limpiar esta cuidad de tanta corrupcion
Cameron country Noe benavidez and John Wood pati Matamoros.
Check the permitting department in Brownsville...there is where the big rats are. Evaristo Gamez and Leo Garza are the biggest.
I think Tony Zavaletta bit his own tongue when he made that statement about corruption.
This guy Tony is so connected to The Tax Office !! how pathetic to say he has no special treatment or favors from the county tax office. county employees know Tony and Tony where thick as can be .... he could be seen every tuesday sale on county time purchasing property !! for Who ... rumor has it for high important people ..like ????
puro Corruption !! He is running an enterprise from his office... just like Fat Joe Was....
Time for a sweep, un buena barrida jjust say no to corruption cb
Time for a sweep, un buena barrida jjust say no to corruption cb
For himself pendejo, puros culos aki
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