NO RUMOR: SPACEX PAY-TO-PLAY MORDIDA SCHEME EXPOSED?

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

I am writing this letter as a concerned small business owner trying to make a living in these rough times, and I am not the first person to present the harsh reality of dealing with Space X and its employees. 

The main issue is with Jose Edgar Garza, the food and beverage director for SpaceX, who is offering a “pay to play” contract to small businesses that appears to be an economic lifesaver. However, he then personally demands his own share in order for myself, and others, to not lose the contract and ultimately financially drown. 

The food vendors are required to pay a $2 stipend, a personal compensation to Garza, on every plate they sell on the day they deliver; if they refuse to pay the stipend, they lose the contract with Space X. 

The small business owners accepting Garza’s stipend are just little guys trying to make a living and feed their families to avoid their businesses being closed during these difficult times. 

And at such a financially tough time, it is hard to imagine being squeezed for a bribe if they want to sell to Space X. It is simple “no pay, no business” for the small business owners. Unfortunately, because of the hardships of the pandemic, these small companies have no choice but to pay. This is all done after hours away from Space X. 

All bribes are paid in cash so that Garza does not have to report it. There is no doubt that all the vendors have paid Garza well over $100,000 in bribes over the last year. I believe Elon Musk has done a wonderful thing for our area. We are now a destination. Our economy is starting to boom, and Brownsville may soon reach its full potential. 

 I do not think for a minute that Mr. Musk would invest billions of dollars in Starbase and be a part of a $2.00 scam by one of his employees, nor do I believe he would knowingly associate himself with Garza’s scheme. 

Garza has caused a great deal of financial, emotional, and physical distress by his stipend, by these small businesses risking bankruptcy, and by the overwhelming hours of labor that go into serving SpaceX employees, respectively. 

It is crucial that this issue of extortion is brought to light so that there may be hope that all the small business owners suffering these burdens may ultimately be fully compensated.