The former La Joya Housing Authority interim executive director and daughter of former La Joya mayor, pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge Thursday, records show.
Frances Salinas De Leon entered a guilty plea to count five of a third superseding indictment — accusing her of wire fraud conspiracy — specifically of defrauding the Arcoiris Daycare as part of her illegal scheme.
In that alleged scheme, Salinas solicited kickbacks from contractors and then subsequently stole money from the Arcoiris Daycare bank account.
According to the third superseding indictment, it also alleges in count 2 that Frances Salinas and her father, Jose A. “Fito” Salinas, were part of a scheme related to a public relations contract for the city.
From June 2018 to approximately November 2018, Fito Salinas, as mayor of the City of La Joya, entered into a public relations contract with Sylvia Garces Valdez, according to the indictment.
As a condition for receiving the contract, the mayor’s daughter was to allegedly receive a portion of the contract’s payments.
During Thursday’s hearing, the court allowed Frances Salinas to remain on bond pending her next hearing.
As part of the plea agreement, the government agrees to dismiss the remaining counts against Frances Salinas in the third superseding indictment.
As part of the agreement, Frances agrees to pay back restitution to the city of La Joya Economic Development Corporation, the city of La Joya in the amount not to exceed $22,000, the Department of Urban Development in an amount not to exceed $23,386, and the La Joya Housing Authority in an amount not to exceed $26,641, the plea agreement states.
Frances is also ordered to forfeit more than $100,000 to the government.
If convicted of the fraud charges, Frances Salinas faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
Frances Salinas remains on bond pending her sentencing hearing.
Fito Salinas, who last appeared for a hearing in March 2021, also remains on bond pending his next court hearing.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to correct information regarding the charges against the former mayor and his daughter.
