CRYSTAL CITY, Texas – From an 8-liner gaming room behind a bank, to Mayor Pro Tem Rogelio Mata's house, the FBI spent Thursday confiscating and investigating after five current and former Crystal City council members were indicted for bribery and conspiracy.
Click here to read the full indictment.
"When I heard everything, I couldn't believe it," Crystal City resident Sandra Campirano said. "I never heard anything like this before, and that makes me really sad. I feel really sad for the families."
But some residents said they are not surprised by what happened to their elected officials.
READ: Recent public corruption cases in SA area
"That's good," Noe Gonzales said. "Where's all the money? Where's the new businesses? Where's anything in this town of Crystal City?
In all, five current and former Crystal City leaders and one businessman were arrested and accused of taking bribes to establish business in town. They are:
- City Manager and Attorney William James Jonas III
- Mayor Ricardo Lopez
- Mayor Pro Tem Rogelio Mata
- Councilman Roel Mata
- Former Councilman Gilbert Urrabazo
- Businessman Ngoc Tri Nguyen, of Keller
It's a move that Gonzales said has not helped the city.
"Look around, what has it done for the community? Nothing," Gonzales said. "Why not here? Why don't they allow things to grow here? Why don't they bring employment here in Crystal City? Why (do) only people in positions prosper? Why not anybody else?"
Campirano said Thursday that she is just hoping for a fresh start.
"I hope for an election to get new people in," Campirano said. "We're hoping for that. We'll see. Hopefully it will get better."
Marco Rodriguez, another city council member, was indicted on Jan. 27 on separate charges related to smuggling undocumented immigrants.
The one remaining council member, Joel Barajas, said they are looking forward to moving forward and they plan on reviewing the city charter for their next step.
Click through the interactive timeline below for more details on the Crystal City corruption case.
