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Sheriff clears El Paso County Commissioner Veronica Escobar of wrongdoing
February 13, 2010 |
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Sheriff clears El Paso County Commissioner Veronica Escobar of wrongdoing
By Stephanie Sanchez / El Paso Times
Posted: 02/13/2010 12:00:00 AM MST
Sheriff Richard Wiles reports the findings of his office's investigation, which he said did not reveal any evidence of criminal misconduct by County Commissioner Veronica Escobar. (Ruben R. Ramirez / El Paso Times)
EL PASO -- The Sheriff's Office on Friday cleared El Paso County Commissioner Veronica Escobar on two allegations of criminal wrongdoing.
In a formal complaint, Escobar was accused of trading a vote for free legal services from a lawyer. In a verbal compliant, she was accused of trading a vote for the hiring of her campaign treasurer at the county attorney's office.
At a news conference Friday, Sheriff Richard Wiles announced that an investigation failed to reveal any evidence of criminal misconduct on Escobar's part. He also said Escobar did not violate the county's code of ethics.
Sheriff's Detective Jeffrey M. Gibson, an 18-year veteran, conducted the two-week investigation, Wiles said. He said he believed the investigation was fair and thorough.
"We assigned one of our most experienced investigators that I have the upmost faith in. É We have found no indications of any criminal acts by County Commissioner Veronica Escobar or County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal.
"Additionally, it is our understanding that the FBI will be issuing a letter to (County Judge Anthony) Cobos advising him that they will not investigate this case as there is no criminal matter to investigate."
The FBI and District Attorney's Office were also involved in the investigation. The FBI, in a letter sent to Cobos and Escobar, said Escobar did not break any federal laws.
In a written statement, Cobos said Friday that he offered the FBI more information.
"I am very surprised the sheriff has rushed to issue a statement regarding the alleged wrongdoing by Commissioner Veronica Escobar, without reviewing all of the evidence," Cobos said in the statement. "Today, I have provided the FBI with a hand-delivered document which may assist them in their investigation."
During a County Commissioners Court regular meeting on Jan. 25, Cobos alleged criminal collusion between Escobar and Bernal in the hiring of Michael Wyatt, according to a sheriff's supplementary report.
Cobos, the report states, implied that Escobar voted for Bernal. In return, Bernal hired Escobar's campaign treasurer, Wyatt.
During his investigation, Gibson learned that Wyatt was hired by former County Attorney José Rodríguez before Rodríguez resigned to run for state Senate. Gibson found that Rodríguez had been trying to hire Wyatt, whom he had known professionally, for the past 10 years.
Wyatt was in the final stages of the hiring process when Bernal entered office.
On the other allegation, Cobos filed a formal 12-page complaint accusing Escobar of "deprivation of honest services by an elected official." In the complaint, he said Escobar on March 17, 2009, voted to approve a $40,000 settlement in a case represented by lawyer John Wenke.
Escobar, the complaint states, then received free legal services from Wenke in an ethics case against her in July 2009.
Gibson found that Escobar had initially accepted free help from Wenke, but later paid him $500 for 2åhours of his time.
"I can find no evidence of the commission of a criminal offense for which this office has jurisdiction," Gibson said in his report. "This case is considered exceptionally cleared and unfounded."
After the results of the investigation were announced, Escobar said she planned put the complaints behind her and move forward with her campaign for county judge.
"Judge Cobos used community resources for his own political agenda, and in order to help his preferred candidate for county judge," she said. "I've also been focused on talking to the voters about issues that are important to them. My focus has been and will continue to be the county's business and my campaign."
Stephanie Sanchez may be reached at ssanchez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6137.
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