CRYSTAL CITY, Texas (AP) - A judge has allowed 2015 recall efforts to continue against a South Texas mayor and two councilmen now facing federal criminal charges.
Judge Amado Abascal on Tuesday ordered the city clerk of Crystal City to verify signatures and certify or reject the petitions by Thursday. Crystal City is a town of about 7,100, located 50 miles from the Mexican border.
Last fall’s recall effort, amid higher taxes and spending questions, targets Crystal City Mayor Ricardo Lopez, Mayor Pro-Tempore Rogelio Mata and Councilman Marco Rodriguez.
Rodriguez was arrested last month on human smuggling charges.
Lopez, Mata and City Attorney and Interim City Manager William James Jonas III, who in November rejected the petitions, were indicted last week in a bribery and conspiracy investigation.
Critics question the $216,000 annual salary for Jonas.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.