An Edinburg politiquero accused of bribery is expected to plead guilty to federal charges tied to an alleged kickback scheme.
An attorney for Miguel Angel Garza filed a notice of intention to enter a guilty plea on Friday, prompting the cancellation of Garza’s final pretrial hearing that was scheduled for Monday.
In May, Garza had pleaded not guilty to a count of federal program bribery and a count of interstate travel in aid.
Those charges stemmed from an alleged scheme that spanned from June 2019 to March 2020, according to the federal indictment filed against him. The scheme allegedly involved two former Edinburg elected officials and a local businessman.
Federal prosecutors allege that as part of the scheme, Garza helped the two former elected officials — listed as “Public Official A” and “Public Official B” in the indictment — accept bribes from the businessman, identified only as “Person 1.”
The businessman allegedly paid the two public officials so that they would vote in favor of awarding a contract, or contracts, to businesses that he controlled.
The count of interstate travel in aid of racketeering is based on the allegation that Garza used a mobile phone, as well as wire and electronic communications, to help carry out the alleged scheme, according to the indictment.
Following his not guilty plea, Garza was released on a $100,000 bond with a $10,000 cash deposit.
U.S. District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa is expected to schedule a re-arraignment hearing for Garza.
His attorney, Rolando D. Cantu, did not return a request for comment.
