Convicted constable retains title, little else

EDINBURG — Hidalgo County's embattled Precinct 5 Constable Eduardo "Walo" Bazan will keep his elected title but not much else while a state appeals court decides whether to overturn his felony theft conviction.

The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court opted Tuesday to uphold its April decision to strip the Delta lawman of his pay and official duties, despite Bazan's hopes for a reversal.

The constable was sworn in for a sixth term in office last week, but an interim constable will continue to serve in his place.

Bazan, 70, is fighting a 2006 conviction on charges he stole a truck seized by his deputies.

Despite a state law barring convicted felons from elected office, voters in the Delta region overwhelmingly re-elected him during a March primary.

Bazan has toed hazy legal lines ever since that trial and continued to work amid heavy criticism from Hidalgo County District Attorney Rene Guerra and Sheriff Lupe Treviño. Both men argue he is ineligible to hold office.

Bazan said little at Tuesday's Commissioners Court meeting and was never called to speak before the panel.

Commissioners also didn't discuss the issue.

"I'm just trying to survive," Bazan said.

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Jeremy Roebuck covers courts and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4437.