Everyone in city hall is being tight-lipped about the arrest of Councilman Garcia. Investigators say the councilman tried bribing police in order to protect his son.
All around South Houston's City Hall, folks are whispering about the arrest of Councilman Roberto "Robert" Garcia. Garcia was arrested this week and charged with two counts of bribery.
"Basically, he offered money to police officers in order to obtain, or attempt to obtain, confidential information regarding a pending investigation of his son," explained assistant district attorney Angela Weltin.
ADA Weltin told me Garcia's son was in a serious car wreck last month in the 800 block of Spencer Highway. Investigators allege Garcia's son was highly intoxicated when that crash happened.
The position four councilman is accused of trying to buy information or evidence from two South Houston detectives who are working that case.
Weltin said, "The law says if you commit bribery, you can face up to 20 years in prison. It's a second degree felony."
Those South Houston police officers reported Garcia to the district attorney's office.
I showed up to the councilman's house after he bonded out of jail, but no one answered the door.
Garcia has lived in South Houston for 23 years, according to city hall records. He was first elected city council in 2005 and re-elected to the same position in 2007
So far neither the mayor nor city manager have responded to my requests for comment about Garcia's arrest.
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