Councilman accused of accepting bribe

CALEXICO — Calexico Mayor Pro Tem David Romero and a former member of one of the city’s commissions were arraigned in federal court on Thursday on charges that they conspired to collect a $35,000 bribe in exchange for the expediting of a cannabis dispensary application submitted to the city.

Romero and former Economic Development and Financial Advisory Commission member Bruno Suarez-Soto are each facing one felony count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery. Conviction could result in up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Romero and Suarez-Soto allegedly had set up a dummy company, RS Global Solutions LLC, in May 2019 to act as a consultancy firm to assist cannabis permit applicants, but authorities contend it was meant to conceal their acts of collecting bribes from applicants who sought favorable treatment.

Both are alleged to have requested and ultimately received a total of $35,000 from a Federal Bureau of Investigations undercover agent during two separate transactions on Jan. 9 and Jan. 30, according to the criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

During a Dec. 19 meeting at an undisclosed Calexico restaurant, Romero allegedly told the undercover agent that money would need to be paid up front in exchange for their services, “because they had done similar work for other people, and those people had not paid the agreed-upon fee after the favors had been rendered,” the complaint stated.

“This isn’t our first rodeo,” Suarez-Soto is alleged to have said at some point.

Ultimately, it was allegedly agreed upon by parties that half of the requested bribe would be paid up front and the remaining balance settled when the application neared approval.

The first $17,500 installment from the undercover agent to Romero and Suarez-Soto was allegedly provided during a second meeting on Jan. 9 at an undisclosed El Centro restaurant, the complaint stated.

During the meeting, both defendants allegedly promised that Romero could effectively fasttrack the permit with the help of Romero’s “best friends” at City Hall who were assigned to the department in charge of approving the permit applications, the court complaint stated.

The undercover agent reportedly asked the defendants for an assurance about the whole transaction, prompting Romero to respond.

“Trust me,” Romero is alleged to have said. “In my line of business I can’t (mess) up. Which means (Suarez-Soto) can’t

(mess) up.”

A third and final meeting reportedly took place Jan. 30 at an undisclosed El Centro restaurant, during which time the undercover agent allegedly provided the defendants with the outstanding $17,500.

Romero is also alleged to have assured the undercover agent that the cannabis permit in question would be expedited with the assistance of city personnel after Romero was paid the remaining balance, the complaint stated.

Following the meeting’s conclusion in the parking lot, FBI agents and taskforce members converged on the scene to question the defendants, both of whom reportedly consented to be interviewed separately.

Afterward, Romero is alleged to have denied that he made any agreement with the undercover agent and that any guarantees were made, and claimed that the agent’s agreement was not with him but with Suarez-Soto’s company, the court complaint stated.

Similarly, Suarez-Soto allegedly denied having provided the agent with any guarantees or having accepted any payments, and that the agreed-upon consulting fee was to be $25,000, the complaint stated.

Romero reportedly did not provide his colleagues on the council with any indication that he was the subject of a federal criminal investigation, said Councilman Morris Reisin. Though he wasn’t able to attend, Reisin said Romero was present during last night’s City Council meeting.

“The way it looks like, he might have to resign,” Reisin said.

Though the FBI had visited City Hall in March to request documents related to cannabis permit applications, the agency did not inform city administrators of the reason for the request, said City Manager David Dale.

“We were unaware of any charges until today,” Dale stated in an email. “There were plenty of rumors and speculation before this, however.”

The city is now in the process of determining whether any of its processes were affected by the arrangements alleged in the criminal complaint.

“If so, the city will act immediately to ensure that those processes are corrected or abated pending outcome of the charges,” a statement the city of Calexico issued Thursday evening said.

It has vowed to cooperate with authorities as part of any potential follow up investigation or requests, and strongly condemned the kind of conduct alleged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.

Though the city’s statement acknowledged that Romero and Suarez-Soto are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the city will initiate discussions with Romero concerning his continued participation in municipal governance during the pendency of these charges as a member of the Council and mayor pro tem.

Suarez-Soto, a 28-year-old Calexico resident, resigned his position as commissioner on April 22, citing residency issues, the city reported. He was appointed to the commission in January 2019 by Romero.

Lastly, the city indicated in its statement that it was not aware of any involvement of any other city employees, appointed commissioners or City Council members in the alleged bribery scheme.

“If we are made aware, we will take appropriate action,” the statement said.

The complaint also alludes to, but does not explicitly charge, an individual solely identified as “Person A” who acted as a manager for the RS Global and who reportedly is a cousin of Romero.

The complaint further stated that Romero and Suarez-Soto retained control of company and intended to use it to launder the bribes they would receive from cannabis permit applicants seeking favorable treatment during the application process.

Documents on file with the California Secretary of State’ Office list Salvador Romero as a company manager, along with Suarez-Soto. Romero’s name doesn’t appear on any filed documents for the company, which recently voluntarily voted to dissolve itself, according to a certification of cancellation filed April 10.

If convicted, both Romero and Suarez-Soto face the potential forfeiture of property determined to have derived from the alleged illicit activity.

Following their video teleconference arraignments, both were released on $10,000 personal appearance bonds secured by their own signatures. Their next court date is July 2.

“Public corruption remains the FBI’s top criminal priority,” said Acting FBI Special

Agent in Charge Omer Meisel in a written statement. “The investigation of Mr. Romero and Mr. Suarez-Soto serves as another example of the FBI’s commitment toward accountability for those serving the public and holding positions of trust.”

Romero was first elected to the council in November 2018 and was scheduled potentially to assume the role of mayor in July.