Brownsville Herald
A large construction payment made by the Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) to the wrong party is currently under investigation by state and federal authorities.
The Cameron County District Attorney’s Office confirmed on Wednesday that it was investigating the incident.
Reports have swirled regarding the alleged missing $1.3 million since March, when a local blog reported the board intended to make the payment to Noble Texas Builders’ account but sent it to the wrong recipient after a person claiming to represent Noble allegedly called and informed BPUB the company had switched banks.
Officials have confirmed that a payment was sent to the wrong party, but declined to provide details.
Noble collaborated with ERO architects to construct BPUB’s new Annex Building, part of a $16.9 million project next to the board’s administrative office, which broke ground in September.
Rene Capistran, Noble’s president and CEO, said on Thursday he was uncertain whether BPUB received the alleged phone call but confirmed that the company submitted for payment on the ongoing project, contacting the board when they noticed it hadn’t been funded.
“When we contacted PUB, they informed us that the money had been deposited to the account. I don’t know the facts of where it went, but it wasn’t our account,” he said.
According to Capistran, Noble is cooperating with local, state, and federal law enforcement in the investigation. He verified that the board issued Noble a second check around a week later, for the same amount, which he estimated at $1.2 million.
An item up for vote on an April 13 board meeting agenda sought to grant BPUB General Manager and CEO John Bruciak permission to petition the Texas Attorney General’s Office to suspend the applicability of the Public Information Act requirements due to the state-wide disaster declaration. BPUB confirmed last month that it was still accepting and would work to fill such requests.
The board’s Community and Public Relation’s Coordinator Cleiri Quezada said the measure was intended to give BPUB the ability to stop filling records requests if necessary due to shelter in place and other requirements forcing staff to work remotely. On Thursday, Quezada said the board was working to prepare a statement regarding the missing money. As of press time, the statement had not been received.
The Brownsville Herald requested records from BPUB regarding the initial payment, an internal audit, and a second payment that was allegedly approved after Noble contacted the board about the missing money. On Thursday, special counsel for BPUB sent a copy of a letter addressed to Ken Paxton which determined that a draft audit regarding a special investigation into an ACH fund transfer and an FBI Internet Crime Complaint referral form receipt confirmation should not be released to the public at this time.
“This auditor’s report, as of the date of the request until present, has not been finalized and therefore is an “audit working paper” that was prepared by the BPUB Audit Manager for the BPUB Audit Committee and should not be released,” the document stated. “BPUB understands that this argument is temporal and that once the audit is finalized, the report would be subject to being released if it did not fall under another exception.”
The records request revealed that the ACH fund transfer serving as the basis for the Audit Manager’s report was referred to the FBI for a criminal investigation.
“The FBI has received the report and based on communication with FBI Agent Nicholas Myers, the matter is being investigated. It is BPUB’s position that any release of report or information requested at this time would interfere with the detection and investigation of this matter.”
A large construction payment made by the Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) to the wrong party is currently under investigation by state and federal authorities.
The Cameron County District Attorney’s Office confirmed on Wednesday that it was investigating the incident.
Reports have swirled regarding the alleged missing $1.3 million since March, when a local blog reported the board intended to make the payment to Noble Texas Builders’ account but sent it to the wrong recipient after a person claiming to represent Noble allegedly called and informed BPUB the company had switched banks.
Officials have confirmed that a payment was sent to the wrong party, but declined to provide details.
Noble collaborated with ERO architects to construct BPUB’s new Annex Building, part of a $16.9 million project next to the board’s administrative office, which broke ground in September.
Rene Capistran, Noble’s president and CEO, said on Thursday he was uncertain whether BPUB received the alleged phone call but confirmed that the company submitted for payment on the ongoing project, contacting the board when they noticed it hadn’t been funded.
“When we contacted PUB, they informed us that the money had been deposited to the account. I don’t know the facts of where it went, but it wasn’t our account,” he said.
According to Capistran, Noble is cooperating with local, state, and federal law enforcement in the investigation. He verified that the board issued Noble a second check around a week later, for the same amount, which he estimated at $1.2 million.
An item up for vote on an April 13 board meeting agenda sought to grant BPUB General Manager and CEO John Bruciak permission to petition the Texas Attorney General’s Office to suspend the applicability of the Public Information Act requirements due to the state-wide disaster declaration. BPUB confirmed last month that it was still accepting and would work to fill such requests.
The board’s Community and Public Relation’s Coordinator Cleiri Quezada said the measure was intended to give BPUB the ability to stop filling records requests if necessary due to shelter in place and other requirements forcing staff to work remotely. On Thursday, Quezada said the board was working to prepare a statement regarding the missing money. As of press time, the statement had not been received.
The Brownsville Herald requested records from BPUB regarding the initial payment, an internal audit, and a second payment that was allegedly approved after Noble contacted the board about the missing money. On Thursday, special counsel for BPUB sent a copy of a letter addressed to Ken Paxton which determined that a draft audit regarding a special investigation into an ACH fund transfer and an FBI Internet Crime Complaint referral form receipt confirmation should not be released to the public at this time.
“This auditor’s report, as of the date of the request until present, has not been finalized and therefore is an “audit working paper” that was prepared by the BPUB Audit Manager for the BPUB Audit Committee and should not be released,” the document stated. “BPUB understands that this argument is temporal and that once the audit is finalized, the report would be subject to being released if it did not fall under another exception.”
The records request revealed that the ACH fund transfer serving as the basis for the Audit Manager’s report was referred to the FBI for a criminal investigation.
“The FBI has received the report and based on communication with FBI Agent Nicholas Myers, the matter is being investigated. It is BPUB’s position that any release of report or information requested at this time would interfere with the detection and investigation of this matter.”
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19 comments:
Thanks to your blog, Juan, it is possible that the Herald and City Officials decide to keep us in the know, even if it a week after you expose the situation. I am debating on whether to pay my next two months of the Herald. When I was teaching, I used the Herald to have the students proofread the many articles that were incorrectly written. The mistakes keep coming everyday,
but the office is close, so I can't complain.
Citizens request an independent reputable auditor of PUB FOR THE past 5yrs and nobody conected from the valley city or county.Were sure the skeletons will come flying out of that closet. The city commission should pick a committee to review knowledgeable and reputable
companies and make recommendation to city!!Times UP
Where in the Hell is the D.A. on this? Forget Nurith's naivete; sic the district attorney on BPUB!
You wanna see them jump? Call their REAL auditors! BPUB auditors are a joke. Nah... call Texas RE [ https://www.texasre.org/ ], NERC [ nerc.com ], PUCT [ https://www.puc.texas.gov/ ]. You won’t play games with them. Trust me.
I guess there are no investigative reporters with Brownsville Herald? The question they should be asking is, why isn't the FBI looking into it? But then again, this is Brownsville! The land of nepotism and corruption!
isnt galonsky on the board?
where's the transperancy ?
atleast a public announcment
More concern about inf being released than cleaning up their act. That "I've been here 50 years" at PUB needs to go. Got rid of one at the city now PUB is next.
THAN SENT HIM TO JAIL...
After a Killing, ‘Running While Black’ Stirs Even More Anxiety
At least we don't have that here not now anyway LOOK AND READ PINCHE COCOS...
I'm 57 years old and female. I was diagnosed a couple of years ago with COPD and I was beyond scared! My lung function test indicated 49% capacity. After having had flu a year ago, the shortness of breath, coughing and chest pains continued even after being treated with antibiotics. I've been smoking two packs a day for 36 years. Being born without a sternum caused my ribs to be curled in just one inch away from my spine, resulting to underdeveloped lungs. At age 34 I had surgery and it was fixed. Unfortunately my smoking just caused more damage to my already under developed lungs. The problem was having is that I enjoy smoking and don't want to give up! Have tried twice before and nearly went crazy and don't want to go through that again. I saw the fear in my husband and children's eyes when I told them about my condition then they start to find solution on their own to help my condition.I am an 57 now who was diagnose COPD emphysema which I know was from my years of smoking. I started smoking in school when smoking was socially acceptable. I remember when smoking was permitted in hospitals. It was not known then how dangerous cigarettes were for us, and it seemed everybody smoked but i was able to get rid of my COPD lung condition through the help of Dr Akhigbe total cure herbal medicine. my husband saw his testimony on the internet he used his powerful medicine to cured different diseases. we contacted his email [drrealakhigbe@gmail.com} He has the right herbal formula to help you get rid and repair any lung conditions and others diseases, will cure you totally and permanently with his natural organic herbs,We received the medicine through courier delivery service. I wish anybody who starts smoking at a young age would realize what will eventually happen to their bodies if they continue that vile habit throughout their life.
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I have developed a cure for stupidness and I will donate it free to any one with this type of illness. You will find me on the yellow pages if you can find them
Check Pat's account to see if the PUB payment wasn't deposited into his account by mistake.
Another cyberattack? Anyone read the Wallstreet Journal?
https://www.wsj.com/articles/utilities-targeted-in-cyberattacks-identified-11574611200
https://www.wsj.com/articles/utilities-targeted-in-cyberattacks-identified-11574611200
BPUB came out last year.
Pobre pat ya dejenlo he's busy karma any one?
Is it the wanna be coach???
A Public Works Department employee "borrowed" a 1.99 (cost of shovel) to do some work at home. That same day the city police arrived at his home arrested the public works employee handcuffed him in front of his family and his children and took him to jail.
A $1.99 shovel!
WHY CAN'T THE CITY DO THIS TO THAT BPUB "GRINGO"? ARREST HIM AND SENT HIM TO JAIL AND FIRE HIM IMMEDIATELY!!!!
This is NOT a Tikkun Olam nor a mitzvah not even close
"We can battle insensitivity, immorality and dishonesty in our lives individually and collectively as a people. We have a wonderful road map in the Torah and its traditions. It is time to think seriously about our reputation in the world and what we can do to enhance it, not because we want to look good but because we want to be good."
DOES NOT APPLY HERE. GREEDY MONEY HUNGRY IS THE DRIVING FORCE HERE!!!
I just saw a bunch of stray dogs on southmost rd why is she not doing what she promised to do? and the streets are falling apart big pot holes and where is the southmost commissioner? defending PUB what about the area your are responsible for EL GRAN SOUTHMOST pinche pendeja...
QUIT IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DO YOUR JOB DO IT NOW!!!
I am a cathlic don't believe in karma
Most if not ALL the streets in the southmost area are full of pot holes. Fix the streets and stop building bike trails there's still NOBODY TO REPRESENT THIS AREA LA PIRUJA WOULD RATHER HELP THE RATAS AT PUB, I WONDER WHY.
DO YOUR JOB AND FIX THE STREETS IN YOU DISTRICT PINCHE .....
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