WESLACO, Texas (Valley Central) — The mayor of Weslaco has placed a political consultant who provided “compliance” services to his campaign on the city’s payroll in May.
Mayor Adrian Gonzalez signed Priscilla Ann Hasso, 51, of McAllen, to a three-month contract on May 1.
“She did the final report for my campaign,” Mayor Gonzalez said, “so I started having discussions with her about everything she does.”
Jasso worked for Border Health PAC, a political action committee affiliated with DHR Health. Through his work, Jasso developed connections with politicians in Texas and Washington.
“I got a good vibe,” Mayor Gonzalez said, “and I thought, ‘I’d love for you to help me realize my vision, what I want to do in Weslaco.'”
Mayor Gonzalez and Mr. Haso signed a three-month contract.
According to the contract, Hasso agreed to provide the mayor with “insight into the political environment regarding public and governmental issues.” In return, Weslaco would pay Hasso $3,000 a month.
After the contract was signed, Hasso continued to work on Mayor Gonzalez’s political campaign.
Gonzalez said he was informed by Mayor Martin Garza that Hasso had solicited campaign contributions from at least one individual, and that he spoke with Hasso as soon as he was informed by Garza.
“And we said, ‘Hey, we want to do things right. We’re going to move in the right direction,'” Gonzalez said, recalling the conversation. “You can do whatever you want, but it doesn’t seem right. So we worked it out.”
Hasso wasn’t the only consultant Mayor Gonzales hired in May.
Mayor Gonzalez also signed a contract with City of Donna Public Works Director Jonas A. Gonzalez.
Jonas A. Gonzalez runs a consulting firm called South Texas Brightwater Solutions.
“I have about 26 years of experience,” Jonas A. Gonzalez said, adding that he is familiar with a wide range of water and wastewater issues.
Mayor Gonzales said he wants BrightWater Solutions to help Weslaco with everything from a pumping station to a multi-million dollar wastewater treatment plant expansion.
“It’s a pretty broad range of services,” says Jonas A. Gonzalez, “but I guess that’s what consulting is all about.”
Mayor Gonzales signed a three-month contract with BrightWater Solutions for up to $2,050 per month.
“We want to make sure everything is done correctly and accurately,” Mayor Gonzalez said, “and we want to have extra eyes and ears there to monitor everything we do.”
Gonzalez said he checked with the mayor and city attorney before signing the contract.
“I want to do everything right. We don’t want to do anything that we shouldn’t,” Mayor Gonzalez said. “That’s why I met with the law department and the mayor to let them know what I want to do going forward with the city.”
Whether Mayor Gonzales actually had the authority to approve the consulting contract remains a matter of debate.
City Commissioner Greg Carr asked Hasso during Tuesday afternoon’s City Commission meeting.
Carr asked her if she had any deals with other cities.
“Consulting contract? No,” Jasso said, adding that he has worked for public servants in other capacities.
Hasso said he formed a political action committee when Ambrosio “Amos” Hernandez ran for mayor of Pharr.
“I handle their compliance work,” Jasso said, “but if there’s city business that I can broker a meeting with, I’ll work with the individual, either the commissioner or the mayor.”
Jasso also handled “compliance operations” for public officials in Edinburg, San Juan and Alamo.
“And again, this is for compliance reasons,” Jasso said. “It’s not a city contract.”
Carr asked Hasso what exactly he meant by “compliance.”
“Anything campaign-related,” Hasso said, “I consult with them about what they can and can’t do from their perspective, how much money they can spend, how much money they can receive, etc.”
Carr asked Hasso why the city needed her help, but before Hasso could respond, Mayor Gonzales cut them off.
“There’s plenty of funding available. There’s plenty of grant money available. There’s a lot of things we want to pursue,” Mayor Gonzalez said. “And I need that help.”
Mayor Gonzalez said Hasso knows people who can help Weslaco secure that funding.
“To me, it’s a good thing,” Mayor Gonzalez said, “and I apologize for not reaching out and letting you know about this.”
Mayor Gonzales said that as mayor he could approve the contract.
“Do you think you can enter into a contract without the authority of the board to hire a consultant to run your campaign?” Carr said.
“No, no, she’s not running my campaign,” Mayor Gonzalez said.
Mayor Gonzalez said Hasso helped him prepare campaign finance reports, which is how the two met.
Mayor Gonzalez asked City Attorney Juan E. Gonzalez to explain the contract approval process.
Juan E. Gonzalez said he reviewed the law and city policy and determined the mayor has the authority to approve consulting contracts under $15,000 without City Commission approval.
“These are specialized services, so no bidding is required,” Juan E. Gonzalez said.
However, it was Mayor Gonzales, not the mayor, who signed the contract between Weslaco and Hasso.
After questions about the contract emerged, Juan E. Gonzalez said he checked with the mayor.
“He told me he approved it,” Juan E. Gonzalez said, “and, for me, it’s OK.”
Mayor Garza said he received the legal opinion from Mayor Juan E. Gonzalez on April 29, just days before Gonzalez signed the contract with Hasso.
Carr didn’t believe it.
“I still believe it was illegal,” Carr said, “and I still regret that we did it.”
Carr made a motion to cancel the contracts with Jasso and Brightwater Solutions Inc. City Commissioner Letty Lopez seconded the motion, but no one seconded it.
Both motions were denied.
Carr, the lawyer, said he disagrees with Juan E. Gonzalez and has deep concerns about the contract with Hasso.
“This contract, this illegal contract, came about as a result of his existing political connections where she was helping him with his campaign,” Carr said, “and then a few months later, she was hired by the mayor on a contract basis, completely circumventing the City Council.”
Mayor Gonzalez maintained he had done nothing wrong.
“We don’t always see eye to eye,” Mayor Gonzalez said, “but at the end of the day, I know we all have good intentions for the city of Weslaco.”
