Eagle Pass Businessman Indicted In Connection With Maverick County Bribery, Kickback And Bid-Rigging Scheme

In Eagle Pass, Texas, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents along with Texas Department Public Safety agents arrested 35-year-old Hipolito Amaya, owner of AM-ROD Construction based in Eagle Pass, in connection with an alleged bribery, kickback and bid-rigging scheme announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.

A federal grand jury indictment, returned yesterday and unsealed today, charges the Amaya with one count of paying a bribe to an agent of an organization receiving federal funds.  The indictment alleges that in May 2011, Amaya submitted a $35,800 bid to Maverick County to construct a concrete sidewalk on Lago Vista in Precinct 4 of Maverick County.  Maverick County issued him a $17,900 check to commence work and then a $17,900 check for the completion of the sidewalk.  The indictment alleges that Amaya made cash payments to two Maverick County employees so that he could be paid in full for a project he never completed.  Additionally, Amaya is alleged to have never constructed the sidewalk he was paid to build. 

Upon conviction, Amaya faces up to ten years in federal prison. 

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Texas Department of Public Safety.  Individuals who have first-hand information about corruption, fraud, or bribery related to Maverick County are urged to contact the FBI at (210) 225-6741.  Assistant United States Attorney Michael Galdo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.