Reprint from the Progress Times - August 5, 2005
©Progress Times 2005 - All Rights Reserved

Criminal Investigation Of LJWSC Underway

 

The Hidalgo County Sheriff's Department has confirmed it is conducting an investigation into possible criminal violation in connection with the current problems of the La Joya Water Supply Corporation.

The release by the State Auditor's Office of an audit of the trouble plagued corporation prompted the investigation, according to the sheriff's department.

Adding fuel to the fire will be a special meeting of citizens concerned with LJWSC's problems Saturday, August 6, at 2 p.m. at Palmview Pavilion in Palmview.

Aida Rivas, one of the organizers of Concerned LJWSC Citizens, said they hope to have up to a thousand people show up for the meeting.

She said the time has come for citizens to get involved in what is happening and to start making demands that the situation be corrected.

She said plans include organizing a protest against the water corporation and demanding answers at board meetings.

The corporation has been under attack for some time over low water pressure in some areas and over sky-high water bills that some customers erroneously received.

The 36-page audit states the corporation mishandled funds, inadequately controlled business dealings and did not meet customer's water needs.

Two sheriff's investigators reportedly are researching misappropriated funds and destruction of records and receipts as part of an alleged cover-up. They have been working with the state auditor's office over the last month.

The final stage of the investigation will be to submit all evidence to a grand jury for possible criminal indictments.

The audit report says at least $170,000 collected from customers for meter sales the past six months is missing, with only $42,000 in the escrow account for infrastructure improvements.

The report also said the corporation has at least $2.4 million in current liabilities, with at most $997,000 to cover them.

LJWSC board president Jose Luis Trigo has expressed surprise over the ongoing investigation.