Investigation into check deposited in mayor's account continues

BROWNSVILLE - City and police officials are staying mum on possible developments regarding a check that the city issued to a vendor but turned up in a local bank account in Mayor Pat M. Ahumada Jr.'s name.

City Manager Charlie Cabler's comments Tuesday were brief in regards to the check for $26,139 issued Oct. 22 to Tarsia Technical Industries of Hauppauge, New York.

"I've already talked to the police chief," Cabler said. "He's saying that until they finish the investigation and obtain records they have not received from the bank, they need to keep it as an investigation and not discuss it, pending results to be presented to the DA."

The check was deposited in the mayor's account at a local bank on Oct. 28.

The Brownsville Police Department and Cameron County District Attorney's Office continue the inquiry this week, but a gag order of sorts seems to have been placed on the matter.

Last week, District Attorney Armando Villalobos declined to acknowledge or provide a copy of a letter to The Brownsville Herald that Ahumada wrote to him regarding the situation.

"If there is a letter that was submitted to the Cameron County District Attorney's Office then it would be part of a criminal investigation. Unfortunately, the letter would not be subject to release to the public because it is considered evidence and the criminal investigation is pending," DA public information officer Jason Moody said in a written statement.

Ahumada said Tuesday that he asked police Chief Carlos Garcia if there were any updated information about the check.

"The word is out there and people are asking me and I need to respond," Ahumada said he told Garcia.

Asked if it is known what the security video shows, the mayor said that the police chief told him that they have not seen the video and are waiting to receive it from the bank. Ahumada said he has asked city management that proper protocols be followed when he is given a check and that acknowledgment of receipt be required.

In prior interviews, the mayor was not able to categorically say that he did not deposit the check, but said it would have been an error if he, family members, or associates did. To the contrary, Ahumada said that someone would have been trying to discredit him by depositing the check into his account.

Garcia said last week that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been advised of the incident.

"They are aware, but not involved at this point," he said.

The FBI on Tuesday did not return a request for comment.

Emma Perez-Treviño is a reporter for The Brownsville Herald.