A Special Investigations Unit Report Regarding Tom Green County Community Action Council
July 2003
Report Number 03-042
Overall Conclusion
The State Auditor's Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU) participated on an investigative team led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to look into allegations of fraud committed by members of the Tom Green County Community Action Council (Community Action Council). The investigative team identified evidence of fraud committed by J. D. Cortez, Executive Director; Lugardha Magana Martinez, Comptroller; Michelle Ramirez Hernandez, Administrative Assistant to the Director and Family Services Specialist for the Head Start Program; and two relatives of Ms. Martinez--Robert Leslie Rivera, brother-in-law; and Angel Magana, brother. Federal indictments were obtained by the United States District Court Northern District of Texas-San Angelo Division identifying the loss amount in excess of $805,000 of Head Start and Early Head Start Program funds received through grants from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The SIU continues to investigate allegations of false billing activities involving state program funds administered by the Community Action Council.
J. D. Cortez was indicted for four counts of theft or embezzlement concerning
programs receiving federal funds, and aiding and abetting, one count of theft
or embezzlement of public monies and aiding and abetting, and two counts of
tampering with a witness by misleading conduct. Lugardha Magana Martinez was
indicted for three counts of theft or embezzlement concerning programs receiving
federal funds, and aiding and abetting. Michelle Ramirez Hernandez was indicted
for one count of theft or embezzlement concerning programs receiving federal
funds. Robert Leslie Rivera was indicted for one count of theft or embezzlement
concerning programs receiving federal funds, and aiding and abetting, and one
count of false declarations before a grand jury. Angel Magana was indicted for
one count of theft or embezzlement concerning programs receiving federal funds,
and aiding and abetting.
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