FRIDAY'S NOT SO FUNNY FUNNIES: $140,000 "GHOST" GIG FOR RUBEN O'BELL

Ruben O'Bell and GBEDC (GBIC) Board chairman  Ben Peña

O'Bell's Better Side

By Juan Montoya

The stonewalling by Gilbert Salinas, CEO of the Greater Brownsville Economic Development Corporation (formerly GBIC) and board chair Ben Peña continues over the apparent irregular hiring of Ruben O'Bell at a princely starting salary of $140,000 salary as a "Senior Director of Government Affairs" last February.

This is the second time that El Rrun-Rrun has submitted the Texas Public Information Act request to the GBEDC, and to Salinas specifically. The first time, we requested some basic information.

The first request for information into O'Bell's hiring was sent to the city and the GBIC.

It read:

Request #PR-2026-127

"Dear Sir., Ms. Please consider this a formal information request. I am inquiring into the recent hiring of Ruben O'Bell for a position in the GBIC. I would like to know: 

1. The hiring date for for Ruben OBell 

2. Salary amount 

3. Job description 

4. How long was the position posted, where, and how many other applicants were considered? 

5. Ruben O'Bells resume and work experience. 

6. Who does Ruben OBell answer to or his supervisor? 

7. What budget account does his salary come from?"

In response, we received a one-page letter that answered just a few things such as salary and hiring date, basically a non-response. We were more specific the second time and sent the request below and copied City Manager Alan Gard, Salinas, and GBEDC records keeper and VP Jerry Briones.

Request #PR-2026-240

Subject: Public Information Request – Records Related to Employment of Ruben O’Bell (GBIC/GB EDC) Request PR-2026-127 Dear Public Information Officer, Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). 

I respectfully request copies of specific public records related to the hiring, employment, duties, and compensation of Ruben O’Bell at the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC). This request is limited to records created or maintained between January 1, 2025 and the present date. This request includes records maintained in electronic or physical form, including communications stored on personal devices, personal email accounts, or messaging platforms if those records relate to official business conducted on behalf of GBIC (GB EDC)or the City of Brownsville. 

This request is to be reasonably specific. If any portion of this request is believed to be unclear, please contact me so that I may promptly clarify it rather than delaying the request. Please confirm receipt of this request. 

SECTION I – EMPLOYMENT AND HIRING RECORDS Please provide copies of the following documents related to the hiring and employment of Ruben O’Bell: 1. The official job description associated with the position held by Ruben O’Bell. 2. The executed offer letter referenced in the Personnel Action Notice. 3. Any employment agreement, memorandum of employment terms, or contract governing the position. 4. The Personnel Action Notice and all supporting documents associated with the hiring. 5. Any documents approving or authorizing the creation of the position. 6. Documents identifying the individual or individuals responsible for approving the hiring decision. 7. Any documents identifying GBIC policies or procedures governing the hiring of staff. 

SECTION II – RECRUITMENT AND HIRING PROCESS Please provide: 8. Documentation showing whether the position was publicly posted, including where and when the position was posted. 9. Copies of any job postings or recruitment announcements associated with the position. 10. Any applications, resumes, or candidate materials submitted for the position, with personal identifying information redacted if required by law. 11. Records identifying the number of applicants or candidates considered for the position. 12. Any evaluation materials, interview notes, or scoring sheets used during the hiring process. 

SECTION III – ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Please provide: 13. Any organizational chart identifying Ruben O’Bell’s position within GBIC. 14. Documents identifying the supervisor or reporting structure associated with the position. 15. Any documents describing the duties, responsibilities, or scope of work assigned to the role.

SECTION IV – BUDGET AND SALARY AUTHORIZATION Please provide: 16. The GBIC fiscal year 2025–2026 budget and any amendments related to staffing. 17. Documentation identifying the budget account or line item funding the salary of Ruben O’Bell. 18. Any documents authorizing or approving the salary level associated with the position. 19. Any records reflecting changes to staffing budgets related to the creation of this position. 

SECTION V – FINANCIAL AND EXPENSE RECORDS Please provide: 20. Records showing payments, reimbursements, or benefits provided to Ruben O’Bell. 21. Any travel expense reports, reimbursement requests, or expense documentation associated with the position. 22. A complete accounts payable or vendor payment report for GBIC from January 1, 2025 to present. 

SECTION VI – GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AND LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES Please provide: 23. Any documents describing the responsibilities of the position related to government affairs, legislative relations, or lobbying activities. 24. Any communications with members of the Texas Legislature or legislative staff referencing the position. 25. Any grant applications, legislative funding requests, or appropriations requests prepared by or involving Ruben O’Bell. 

SECTION VII – COMMUNICATIONS Please provide: 26. All email communications, including attachments, between GBIC leadership and Ruben O’Bell referencing employment, hiring, legislative matters, or consulting services between January 1, 2025 and the present. 27. Communications between GBIC leadership and officials of the City of Brownsville referencing the position. 28. Any communications referencing the creation, funding, duties, or purpose of the position.

Why is the GBEDC, the city manager, CEO Salinas, and board chair Ben Peña stonewalling this information request? If everything related to his hiring was on the up-and-up, why not release it so that the public can rest assured that there was no favoritism or hanky-panky going on? That and given the fact that we already have our elected representatives in Austin to lobby for us, isn't this just a "ghost" job created for O'Bell by his bods Salinas and Peña create specially for him with the public's money?

Given this non-response, we are now turning to State of Texas Attorney General, and also to our elected representatives for relief and for the adherence of the GBEDC and the City of Brownsville to the state's Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552).