USDA Scandal: Loan Specialist and Contractors BUSTED in $2 Million Bribery Scheme!
USDA loan specialist and two contractors are heading to prison for a shocking bribery scheme that funneled nearly $2 million their way! 💸 #News #Texas #Crime
Corruption crackdown as federal court sentences USDA official and crooked contractors in massive bribery scandal!
MCALLEN, TX – A U.S. Department of Agriculture loan specialist and two contractors have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a bribery scheme, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced Tuesday.
USDA loan specialist Roberto Rodriguez, 52, and contractors Daniel Diaz, 68, and Jose Sandoval, 71, each pleaded guilty May 17.
Rodriguez admitted accepting bribes from Diaz and Sandoval to refer applicants for the USDA Rural Development 504 Single Family Housing Repair Grant and Loan program to the contractors, which would allow them to collect nearly $2 million in combined payments under the program. Rodriguez was responsible for approving the loans.
Rodriguez was sentenced to 16 months in prison, Diaz received a sentence of eight months, and Sandoval received a sentence of six months. Each will also have to serve three years of supervised release following the prison terms.
During the sentencing hearing, the court heard evidence that $1,107,228 worth of contracts were awarded to Diaz, and $709,854 worth of contracts were awarded to Sandoval as a result of the bribery scheme.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane said he hoped the sentences would serve as an example to the community not to get involved in corrupt practices.
“The people of the United States have the right to expect the utmost integrity from those electing to do business with the United States,” U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani said in a statement.
“Diaz and Sandoval failed in that duty when they chose to bribe a federal official in order to obtain federal contracts. Rodriguez betrayed his oath of office when he chose to accept payments from those contractors in order to influence who would be awarded these contracts.”
Written by TMX staff, with additional reporting by Jack and Kitty Norton.
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