Surveyor In Maverick County Pleads Guilty In Connection With Bribery, Kickback And Bid-Rigging Scheme

Marcelo Alvarez, a 55-year-old surveyor and consultant from Eagle Pass, faces up to ten years in federal prison and full restitution to Maverick County after pleading guilty to a bribery charge in connection with an alleged bribery, kickback and bid-rigging scheme announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse.
               
Appearing before United States District Judge Alia Moses this afternoon in Del Rio, Alvarez pleaded guilty to one count of paying a bribe to an agent of an organization receiving federal funds.  According to court documents, between 2010 and 2012, Alvarez paid $100 to $200 on multiple occasions to Maverick County elected officials, including two county commissioners, for their support in securing county construction projects.  Ultimately, Maverick County paid in excess of $800,000 to Amistad Consulting, a company which Alvarez was connected to, to perform engineering, project management and consulting services for the county.  Alvarez, designated by Amistad Consulting  as the Resident Project Representative, received payment for his services of approximately $300,000 between 2010 and 2012. 

Alvarez remains on bond pending sentencing scheduled for October 1, 2014.

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 Attorneys Michael Galdo and Bryan N. Reeves are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.