Edcouch Commissioners Meeting Postponed Amid Federal Charges Against City Officials

Edcouch Commissioners

Edcouch Commissioners Meeting Postponed Due to Lack of Quorum

The city of Edcouch was set to hold a highly anticipated commissioners meeting today to discuss the fate of two city officials, City Manager Victor De La Cruz and Mayor Pro Tem Rene Flores, both of whom are facing federal charges. However, the meeting was postponed after it failed to meet the required quorum, delaying any decisions on the future of these officials.

De La Cruz and Flores are currently facing four federal charges, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S., bribery of federal programs, and two counts of Travel Act violations. The allegations have sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about the leadership of the city.

Why the Meeting Was Postponed

According to Edcouch city officials, today’s commissioners meeting was postponed after not enough members attended to meet the quorum requirement. “We need three members to show up,” a spokesperson explained. “We only had two members apart from the mayor that appeared, so we were missing one member of the board”.

Without the necessary quorum, the meeting could not proceed, leaving the discussion regarding De La Cruz and Flores unresolved. The absence of one commissioner, whose presence was crucial, caused the delay, but the city has confirmed that this individual will need to present an excuse to the city attorney regarding their absence.

Rescheduled Meeting Set for Monday

The postponed meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, giving the board another opportunity to address the charges against De la Cruz and Flores. The charges stem from allegations of their involvement in a conspiracy to defraud federal programs, which could have serious legal and political ramifications for the city of Edcouch.

The City Attorney emphasized the importance of addressing these charges as soon as possible. “The commissioner who was absent today must present an excuse to the city regarding their absence,” they said, making it clear that the absence had to be justified before the next meeting​.

Federal Charges Facing Edcouch Officials

The charges against de la Cruz and Flores are significant, involving accusations of federal program bribery and violations of the Travel Act, which governs criminal activities that cross state lines. These charges could lead to severe penalties if the officials are found guilty.

Conspiracy to defraud the U.S. is one of the gravest charges, implying that De La Cruz and Flores were allegedly involved in schemes to misuse federal funds. The allegations of bribery further complicate the situation, raising questions about corruption within Edcouch’s city leadership.