More guilty pleas expected in wake of former PSJA schools superintedent Arturo Guajardo's

McALLEN — Former Pharr-San Juan-Alamo schools Superintendent Arturo Guajardo pleaded guilty last week to one count of extorting bribes in exchange for his influence on contracts for district work.

But the school district’s longtime chief is not the only board member looking to cut a deal with federal prosecutors, according to sealed court filings leaked on Monday.

“A second defendant and the government have reached terms on a plea agreement,” the document states. “The government is in Â… on-going plea discussions with a third and fourth defendant.”

The government filing does not, however, specifically name any of the former superintendent’s co-defendants as possible candidates for a plea agreement.

Prosecutors agreed to drop 21 counts of conspiracy and extortion against Guajardo on Friday in exchange for his guilty plea and testimony in the ongoing case against PSJA board members Rogelio “Little Roy” Rodriguez, Raul “Big Roy” Navarro and Evangelina “Vangie” De Leon.

Federal authorities arrested all four in June at the conclusion of a two-year investigation into alleged bribes given in exchange for their influence on school repair work, construction of sports facilities and insurance for district employees.

According to the 22-count indictment in their case, Guajardo and the school board members accepted gifts from nine contractors that included cash payments totaling more than $600,000, paid vacations, concert tickets and in some cases even the services of prostitutes over a period of at least six years.

De Leon’s ex-husband, Ricardo, and contractors George Hernandez and Arnulfo “Arnie” Olivarez were also named in the case. Hernandez is currently the president of the Donna school board but his alleged criminal activity is not connected to his role as a public official, U.S. attorneys said.

In his guilty plea Friday, Guajardo admitted to taking an all-expenses paid trip with Rodriguez and Navarro to Las Vegas in June 2002. Plane tickets, hotel rooms, passes to sporting events and gambling money were all provided by various contractors interested in construction work.

Attorneys for Guajardo’s co-defendants did not comment Monday on who else might be looking to plea, but a lawyer for at least one insisted the former superintendent’s decision would have little impact on his client’s case.

“It doesn’t affect us at all,” said attorney Al Alvarez, who is representing Navarro. “My client is innocent.”

Guajardo declined to be interviewed for this story but had previously maintained his innocence in talks with reporters. His attorney — Reynaldo G. Garza III — did not return calls for comment.

‘BUSINESS AS USUAL’

The PSJA school district, which has been dogged by allegations of official misconduct since FBI raids at district offices in early 2005, took news of Guajardo’s plea as a chance to start putting years of scandal behind them.

Former school board member Guadalupe Jaime Santa Maria and contractors Al Cardenas, Pedro Armando Gutierrez and Jose “Joe” Lopez have all pleaded guilty to involvement in a similar bribery scheme to influence board business. Each awaits sentencing early next year.

“I guess I’m saddened for the (Guajardo) family and what they’re going through,” school board president Ben Garza said. “As far as the district’s concerned Â… we’re going to be moving forward (with) business as usual.”

During their regular meeting Monday, board members received service awards and voted to extend the terms of its members, including indicted trustees Rodriguez, Navarro and De Leon.

The term extension was necessary because of new state laws governing the timing of school board elections.

PROCEEDINGS AHEAD

Under the terms of his agreement with prosecutors, Guajardo must maintain his guilty plea until a sentencing hearing currently set for March 2008.

At that time, the government will drop all other counts against him, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Still, he could face up to 20 years for his admission of guilt on the one count.

Prior to his arrest, Guajardo spent nearly 40 years with the school district, including seven as superintendent. He is a former mayor of San Juan and before his current legal troubles said he was considering a run for state or county office.

"I hoped that this would not be the outcome," said current PSJA Superintendent Daniel King, who took over from Guajardo earlier this year. "I know this is also hard and sad for the district and his family."

All of the remaining defendants are set to go to trial Jan. 8. But that date will likely be pushed back later in light of today’s developments, attorneys said.