8 more sentenced in Maverick County public corruption probe linked to bribes, rigged bids

DEL RIO, Texas — Three former commissioners of a corruption-plagued South Texas county have now received maximum 10-year prison sentences after admitting they took bribes.

Former Maverick County Precinct 4 Commissioner Cesar Flores was sentenced in Del Rio on Wednesday, one day after former Commissioner Eliaz Maldonado got 10 years in prison for a similar guilty plea to taking a bribe.

On Monday, former Maverick County Commissioner Rodolfo Bainet Heredia was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his guilty plea to taking a bribe. The 10-year terms were the maximum that U.S. District Judge Alia Moses of Del Rio could assess.

At least 16 people have been convicted and sentenced in the latest investigation into Maverick County losing more than $1.3 million.

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8 more sentenced in Maverick County public corruption probe linked to bribes, rigged bids

NY: The Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption

On July 2, 2013, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo appointed the “Commission to Investigate Public Corruption” under the Moreland Act and Executive Law Section 63(8) to probe systemic corruption and the appearance of such corruption in state government, political campaigns and elections in New York State.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman will appoint the members of the Commission as Deputy Attorneys General giving the Commission broad investigative authority to probe matters that “involve public peace, public safety and public justice”.

The Commission will have the power to issue subpoenas and examine witnesses under oath.  They will be tasked with among things, reviewing the adequacy of existing state laws, regulations and procedures involving unethical and unlawful misconduct by public officials and the electoral process and campaign finance laws.  They will also examine whether existing laws and regulations have been fairly and vigorously enforced and what changes must be made to such enforcement.  The Commission is directed to make recommendations to toughen and improve existing laws and procedures.

Note: 

The Commission will hold hearings in September:
* Tuesday, September 17 in lower Manhattan,
* Wednesday, September 18 in Buffalo,

* Tuesday, September 24 in Albany

The hearings will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Source:
The Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption