Special to El Rrun-Rrun
The Cameron County Human Resources Dept. – in response to inquiries from the commissioners court – has asserted that retired U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent Robert Gracia, Sheriff Eric Garza's right-hand man during his campaign, is not listed on salary schedules as the chief deputy and in fact is not a county employee.
"He is not a county employee," said a commissioner's assistant requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to comment. "HR says he is not listed as the department's chief deputy."
Gracia – who was one of Garza's chief campaign contributors – became the de facto chief deputy December 30 even before Garza was sworn into office when they received an email ordering them to be present in full uniform for Garza's swearing in at 12:01 a.m. January 1, and later, on three more ceremonies during the day. Only COVID-19 positive personnel was exempted from attending.
"All Deputies who start their shift at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 1, 2021, and those Deputies who are off, must be in attendance," reads an email from Gracia to department staff on the 3 p.m. ceremony. "All SIU Divisions and Civil Processing must be in attendance.We will need to set up 6 tables inside of the Administration Building with 2 chairs each. Lieutenants, Sergeants, and Captains will assist in ensuring that Deputies sign their forms and receive their packets.
For the 3:00 p.m. ceremony, we will also need flags, a podium, and the color guard.
I will need two (2) sets of keys to access the building, one for Sheriff Garza, and one for myself. We will also need keys to our respective offices. Please provide these to us at the 12:00 a.m. ceremony."
Gracia also demanded that every employee fill out a 34-page questionnaire that included personal and confidential information, some requiring certified copies of birth certificates, Social Security cards, and copies of other documentation, including high school, GED, and college degrees.
He also stated that if the questionnaire was not filled correctly or something was lacking, that could be grounds for disqualification of employment or termination.
HR has confirmed that eight applications for the chief deputy position were received at the end of a seven-day application period last Thursday and given to Garza for his selection, Gracia's application was not among them.
The Cameron County Sheriff's Deputy Association officers say they have already notified the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (T-COLE) whether Gracia – who is not T-COLE certified as is required on the chief deputy's job description – can wield the authority to make personnel changes or issue orders to sheriff department personnel.
HR has confirmed that eight applications for the chief deputy position were received at the end of a seven-day application period ending last Thursday and given to Garza for his review and possible selection. The chief deputy serves at the will of the elected official. Gracia's application was not among them.
upcoming Tuesday meeting January 19 on the ongoing controversy. Reportedly, Gracia's domineering personal style has prompted some department employees to resign rather than submit to his authority.
This glitch in the department, coming less than two weeks into his administration has created a turmoil among department employees and officers and some are questioning whether Garza is aware that he also carries some liability and could expose the county to litigation.
They say by allowing an individual who is not a county employee to wield authority over officers and staff at the department could quickly escalate to the point of a formal criminal complaint against him for Abuse of Official Capacity by allowing that situation to happen.
"T-COLE already knows what's going on in Cameron County," said a CCSDA member. "We'll just have to wait to see what the county does and what will happen next."
26 comments:
“ The inquiry was prompted by complaints from sheriff department employees who have been transferred from their positions and have received direct orders from Gracia to perform specific duties.”
So Reyna is complaining he lost his office and was assigned to the Civil Process Division where he is expected to do actual work. Seems like karma but him in the ass. He’s certainly burned enough bridges in his career to the point that no one is shedding a tear for him. The deputies certainly aren’t complaining. Morale is higher than it has been in a while. Garza inherited a mess that he needs to clean up.
And this is just the beginning, he hired 3 of his puppets Rick cornejo, Ramblado rivera and Charles Hoskins Jr (last one with an extensive criminal record), as a "jailers" just to be with him at the office all day... Garza, do you how understaff the jail is? Do you think is right wasting those 3 positions just to hire your buddies?
And now you have a patrol shift without a Sgt supervisor because out of vegeance you decided to send him to the jail as a jailer... when you preached during the campaing about training training training, what experience does that Sgt has a jailer??
Do you even understand the liability for the jailers, for the inmates, for the county... In 10 days you have proven youre a joke!
What about that clerk you removed from her position because she found out your new Chief Jailer (who leaked the inmate video during the campaing), is falsifying his timesheet?
Those county attorneys need to get ready
That's domineering was adopted by the Reyna Brothers years ago and Gus Reyna was active Chief when retired then he was rehired lost his Chief status. Kept it hush.. hush.. interesting.. Javier Reyna continues to use anything to try and dominate the department he feels belongs to him.
You are off to a great start Eric. You are an inexperienced moron. Told you so. Almost as stupid as the people that voted for you.
Saenz will do nothing and we all know it.
Bobby WC
Used to work there, its a big shit hole, aka outhouse. Aganse garras brother. it aint worth it.
Honestly there are some jailers that don’t belong and someone needs to clean it up. There are two brothers Javier Rocha and Andrew Rocha who don’t belong for a lack of integrity. There brother had two outstanding county warrants, one of which was active for two years, and they never said anything. Andrew Rocha lived with this brother and when county when to arrest him Andrew Rocha never told the deputies he was hiding in the house. The deputies had to search for him till they found Miguel Rocha and arrested him for the two outstanding warrants. Should these guys even work for the county knowing this occurred ? No. Yet they still do even though they knew their brother was wanted. If they were willing to keep quiet about that what else are they capable of doing ?
Reynas at it again. Reyna cannot stand he no longer has the last decisions. He cannot handle the losses of his campaigns.
Those complaining just played into the hands of the new Sheriff in town, Garza. Gracia's memorandums were written with Garza's full knowledge an authorization, thus they still stand. Sheriff Garza now knows who's unhappy at their position and will not be team players.
Gus Reyna had retired years ago and rehired but not as a Chief. Is there a difference? If that is factual.
El Bobby WC still making comments from hearsay friends of the Reynas team. Team Reyna, as they call themselves. The Toxic environment they created does not come close to the wrath of lies being commented by the few favorites of the clan.
How does he have access to county email if he is not an employee?
Hmmmm
Does this mean the Sheriff can use his power and allow anyone he wants into the building without security clearance? He shared employee private information with this man that was able to bypass county policy because of his large campaign contribution? The Reyna’s have nothing to do with this scandal because Eric and this Gracia dumbass were so caught up on retaliating that forgot they are part of a governmental agency. Garza talked so much shit about his idiot so called transition team and tried making Lucio look bad for not allowing it and well mothafuka Lucio new what he was doing and was following the rules. See vengeance and retaliation blinds you and leads you straight to a fuck up. You won the race and what you should have done was stick to the bullshit you talked about instead of being so caught up with what Lucio did. Pinche estupidos.....sounds like experience does matter doesn’t it? I don’t give a fuk what you say you will never be anything close to Omar Lucio. do yourself a favor and get the fuck out!
It doesn't take a genius to know that a county jailer makes less than $30k. Why would Rick Cornejo leave District Clerk with at least a $50k yearly job for a lower paying position? Why would Chuck Hoskins Jr. Leave a job at Sylvian? A job that would clearly pay more than $30k? With all the child support that he pays, plus a current high maintenance wife?
County hasn't given employees raises in the last 2 years! And this year county budget broke even, started off in negative. So please Sheriff Garza what transas are you going to do to compensate your cronies? County Auditors, HR and Commissioner's and Judge better be asking questions??!
Chuck Jr. Was arrested for family violence wouldn't that disqualify him for getting employed?
Very disappointing to hear all this shit happening. Let's see if the inmates don't riot.. since they clearly know that the jail is short on staff... at least 20 open jailer slots!
Eric is a stupid name for a sheriff! Have you ever met a tough guy named Eric? Neither have I. All feminine and gay. At least he got him a real badge that he never earned. It is going to be fun watching you go down in flames Eric. Being Sheriff of Cameron County is not an on the job learning position.
Hey Cameron County you asked for it now you got it for 4 years, aganten la vara y no lloren bola de cabritos
The same individuals that are creating misleading comments are the same that have tried to slander other candidates that Team Reyna dislike. It's becoming a commonality to use slanderous accusations. Did anyone from the Lucio administrators ever state who they have hired with criminal records? That must have been an order from Lucio. Just all rumors.
Nobody in the right mind would want to be like Lucio with all the chaos and the administrators that lead him to his loss. That type of legacy is not admirable.most importantly when Lucio publicly supported a person that was indicted and facing sentencing.
I’ll make it easy for everyone let’s see: REMOVAL OF SHERIFF :
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE TITLE
Sec. 87.011. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "District attorney" includes a criminal district attorney.
¥es(2) "Incompetency" means: ALLOWS CIVILIANS (AKA SUGGA PAPI GRACIA) TO MAKE DECISIONS HIRING AND FIRING OF COUNTY EMPLOYEES, DEPUTIES, PROMOTIONS
(A) gross ignorance of official duties; INSTEAD OF RUNNING THE AGENCY HE IS FOCUSED ON FIRING, DEGRADING LUCIO SUPPORTERS AKA POLITICAL RETALIATION
(B) gross carelessness in the discharge of those duties; or BREECH OF SECURITY AND FAILED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF SHERIFFS OFFICE/COUNTY EMPLOYEES
(C) unfitness or inability to promptly and properly discharge official duties because of a serious physical or mental defect that did not exist at the time of the officer's election. GRACIA PROBABLY NOT WELL ENDOWED TO CAUSE PHYSICAL HARM
(3) "Official misconduct" means intentional, unlawful behavior relating to official duties by an officer entrusted with the administration of justice or the execution of the law. The term includes an intentional or corrupt failure, refusal, or neglect of an officer to perform a duty imposed on the officer by law. HE INTENTIONALLY ALLOWED HIS HIGHEST CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTOR TO POSE
BUT WAIT NOT ONLY THAT IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS (THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT CHIEF DEPUTY ) and that HE WAS IN CHARGE NOT ERIC and also signed official orders for county employees.
Texas Penal Code § 37.11. Impersonating Public Servant (a) A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) impersonates a public servant with intent to induce another to submit to the person's pretended official authority or to rely on the person's pretended official acts; HE WAS NOT A COUNTY EMPLOYEE AND WAS PRETENDING TO BE ONE I MEAN HE DID PAY 35K FOR IT SO I GUESS HE KINDA FELT ENTITLED. (2) knowingly purports to exercise, without legal authority, any function of a public servant or of a public office, including that of a judge and court. HE KNOWINGLY AND WITHOUT THE AUTHORITY OF TCOLE IDENTIFIED AS THE ONE OFFICIALLY IN CHARGE OF THE SHERIFFS OFFICE AND THE JAIL. THAT ERIC WAS JUST HIS LIL BITCH
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree. THIS MEANS HE WILL BE GONE FOR A LONG ASS TIME.
Sec. 87.013. GENERAL GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL. (a) An officer may be removed for:
(1) incompetency;(2)"Official misconduct" means intentional, unlawful behavior relating to official duties by an officer entrusted with the administration of justice or the execution of the law. The term includes an intentional or corrupt failure, refusal, or neglect of an officer to perform a duty imposed on the officer by law. DEFINITELY INTENTIONAL AND CORRUPT FAILURE AND NEGLECT: ERIC GARZA FAILED TO PROTECT HIS EMPLOYEES ESPECIALLY HIS DEPUTIES THAT HE RETALIATED AGAINST FOR BEING LUCIO SUPPORTERS AND INSTEAD OF BEING A TRUE LEADER TRANSFERRED THEM TO THE JAIL TO HUMILIATE THEM AND GET REVENGE FOR THEM SUPPORTING THEIR BOSS. NOT ONLY THAT: LOCAL GOVT CODE Sec. 85.003. DEPUTIES. (a) The sheriff may revoke the appointment of a deputy on the indictment of the deputy for a felony. DEPUTIES WERE NOT CHARGED WITH A FELONY.
(f) A deputy who is included in the coverage of a civil service system created under Chapter 158 may be suspended or removed only for a violation of a civil service rule adopted under that system. AGAIN ERIC WAS NOT ONLY INCOMPETENT, IGNORANT, CARELESS, AND VIOLATED THE CIVIL SERVICE RULE FOR TRANSFERRING A DEPUTY WHO WAS CLEARLY A SHERIFF LUCIO SUPPORTER TO WORK AS A JAILER FOR POLITICAL RETALIATION WITHIN THE FIRST HOURS OF HIS NEW POSITION. LETS BE REAL FUCKERS HAD THEIR BLACKLIST READY SINCE THEY WON! THERES ENOUGH HERE TO GET BOTH OF THESE IDIOTS A FREE RIDE TO JAIL BUT JUST IN SEPARATE CELLS TO AVOID JAIL SEX.
MEJOR PONLE GUEY!
Why is Eric so afraid, why is he not talking to the media? Why is he not allowing anyone to take cellphones to his office.... what a clown! Who he think he is?...Eric you need to pay your bruja Matty a little bit more money, because they way I seet it, you wont last 6 months...
Wtf!!! Now he is taking credit on facebook for shit he has no idea how to do, "#SheriffEricGarza" ... go sit down kid... no one at the office respects you... youre a fkn joke! Not even the patrol rookies...
Sheriff Dolittle's recent FB post are just a way to try and cover up the real shit that is going on...#sheriffnogoodgarza don't tell me you really think that in these 14 days your leadership caused these deputies (that are real officers) to do the job they were already doing under #THEREALSHERIFF but he did not feel he needed to spend all day creating memos for the public that by the way...i hope you know some of that info your'e giving could affect the investigation??? jajaja there is a reason why #THEREALSHERIFF would not say anything in public and ummmm maybe cus cameron county does have something called a legal dept. SMH
@9:25pm most of the information you provided is exactly what the Reynas did throughout all those years and with the help of Lucio. How many more lies? That is Javier Reynas tactics. Create lies and succeed against all cause? All the employees know the truth. No one is fooled.
The voters wanted change???? Just because it’s been this way before and Lucio this and that etc and everyone else did it etc etc etc doesn’t mean Cameron county citizens should continue to put up w the same bullshit...this muthafkr over and over plead change, change, he’s a fkn fraud and a fkn liar!!!! Corruption, vengeance, retaliation, etc was his first duty hours before he was even sworn in! atleast give the employees a chance to prove themselves but instead he was to screw everyone over! what the fuk do you expect bro for them to backstab their boss? you should appreciate loyalty which is one thing you have no idea and to be real Omar Lucio has nothing to do with the bs! he earned his spot and unlike you he was a REAL OFFICER...he was actually out there serving the public throughout the course of his career...i mean that is why you are a joke but nooo you fooled your voters into believing that your fake badge could bring change all you did was bring in a huge mess and destroyed the staff (and their families) that you retaliated against not because they weren’t doing their job but because they were under Lucio’s leadership!
@7:38 U KNOW YOU ARE SAYING THIS BECAUSE YOU WERE ONE OF THEM. U R NOW #TEAMGARZA x soplon y x panochon
HOUSE MOUSE PAPER PUSHER!! THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE ONCE A MOUSE ALWAYS A MOUSE, PAPER PUSHER
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