HIDALGO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY RICARDO RODRIGUEZ TOPICS Public - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

HIDALGO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY RICARDO RODRIGUEZ

TOPICS • Public Corruption • Conflict of Interests • Kleptocracy • Past cases • Lessons Learned • Who to Call

• Corruption is the illegitimate use of public power to benefit a private interest.

• “Corruption” and exactly what it means invites certain misunderstandings, as it is a broad concept conveying a variety of moral connotations. • Influence vs. Corruption

Corruption vs. Corruption

Corruption Starts Small

“You know something, I got my hooks in the guy.”

Main Federal Anti-Corruption Statues • Hobbs Act • RICO Statues

WHY MOSTLY THE FEDS?

HOBBS ACT

PHARR

PHARR

PROGRESSO

PROGRESSO-ARCHITECH

ARCHITECH

R.I.C.O.

R.I.C.O. USED LOCALLY

STATE STATUTES

THEFT

THEFT BY PUBLIC SERVANT

NEXT CATEGORY HIGHER

PROCUREMENT LAW

PROCUREMENT = BIG $$$$$$$$$

Conflicts of Interest

https://lbj.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/Day2_Gilchrist_EthicsDisclosure_EHandout.pdf

https://lbj.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/Day2_Gilchrist_EthicsDisclosure_EHandout.pdf

https://lbj.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/Day2_Gilchrist_EthicsDisclosure_EHandout.pdf

https://lbj.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/Day2_Gilchrist_EthicsDisclosure_EHandout.pdf

https://lbj.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/Day2_Gilchrist_EthicsDisclosure_EHandout.pdf

• Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office— PUBLIC INTEGRITY UNIT

MISSION STATEMENT • It will be the mission of the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office-Public Integrity Unit to improve the public’s trust in their public servants and the judicial system, by ensuring that corruption of government and government function is thoroughly and independently investigated, with appropriate charges being brought when needed.

TEXAS RANGERS

LESSONS LEARNED? • STAY VIGILANT; • SEE SOMETHING—REPORT IT.