Edcouch city manager retains job as no quorum reached

EDCOUCH, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Edcouch city officials Thursday night were supposed to meet to discuss whether the city manager should continue his role after his recent federal arrest for bribery charges.

However, the meeting was canceled because three of the city council members did not show up.

Edcouch City Manager Victor Hugo De La Cruz still has a job with the City of Edcouch as he continues to be suspended with pay. The city secretary has already assumed most of his responsibilities.

One of the council members who did not attend the meeting was Mayor Pro-Tem Rene Flores, who is also facing charges in the same federal investigation. De La Cruz and Flores are accused of asking for money from a company that did business with the city.

Edcouch City Attorney Roel Gutierrez said discussing De La Cruz's employment is a priority since the city has a budget to pass by the end of the month.

“The city definitely wants to balance the rights of the individual, because everyone is presumed to be innocent. To preserve the rights of the city, the city has to keep on functioning and that is what the city is planning on doing. Keeping up the services and letting everybody know that we are still here," Gutierrez said.

As for the mayor pro-tem, Gutierrez says Flores can continue participating in city business. However, he can resign if he wishes.

Edcouch Mayor Virginio Gonzalez Jr. said the city will hold a special meeting on Monday, Sept. 23 to revisit the topic of De La Cruz's employment.

Both De La Cruz and Flores are due back in court in November for a pre-trial hearing.