McALLEN, Texas – The grimy halls of the Edinburg City Council have been rocked by corruption as Jorge ‘Coach’ Salinas, a 47-year-old former councilman from Edinburg, has pleaded guilty to his role in a brazen ‘pay-to-play’ bribery scheme. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Salinas admitted to participating in the scheme between June 2019 and March 2020, where he attended meetings on behalf of businesses seeking contracts with the city of Edinburg. His actions were part of a broader plot to reinstate expired contracts and secure new deals, all for a price.
Miguel Garza, a key figure in the operation, claimed to know several council members, including Salinas. He promised that for a payment, he could sway the vote in favor of the business owner’s company. $3,000 was handed over on July 23, 2019, as part of an alleged agreement.
Salinas’ attendance at meetings and his acceptance of this money were revealed to be acts of aiding and abetting Garza’s criminal scheme. U.S. Attorney Ganjei emphasized the importance of honesty in public office, warning that those who engage in such schemes face severe consequences, including federal indictment and imprisonment.
Sentencing for Salinas is scheduled for November 5th, where he could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His accomplice, Garza, also pleaded guilty on May 2, 2023, and awaits his own sentencing later this fall.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Arthur R. Jones and Robert L. Guerra leading the prosecution of the case.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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