HARLINGEN
— After filing the required annual personal financial statement, state
Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. declined to say if any firm paid him for consulting
work last year.
Thus,
it could not be ascertained if his past practice of consulting for
firms doing business in the Rio GrandeValley has continued.
“Rio Consultants does not hold any contracts,” Lucio said of one of his businesses.
But asked if any firm
paid him irrespective of contracts, Lucio said, “I have disclosed all
the information that is required by the state of Texas.”
“I respectfully pass on
requests that go beyond what is required by law,” the senator stated in
an email to the Valley Morning Star.
Lucio, D-Brownsville, filed his annual personal financial statement earlier this year.
He reported being self-employed by Rio Shelters, Inc. and Rio Consultants. He also is a partner in Lone Star Golf Carts.
He reported assets of at least $85,000 for his business interests and liabilities of at least $60,000.
Lucio reported owing —
alone or with other family member — at least $190,000 to several banks
including the Lone Star National Bank, Rio Bank, Texas Regional Bank,
BBVA Compass Bank, International Bank of Commerce and Plains Capital.
His personal financial
statement notes he and his wife own half a lot in Port Isabel, he and
other family member own 10 acres in Los Fresnos and his wife owns
remaining properties in Brownsville and Los Fresnos.
State law requires
public officials to annually file the statement with the Texas Ethics
Commission regarding their sources of income, assets and liabilities of
the prior year.
A legislator is allowed
to accept compensation for work performed in a capacity other than as a
public servant as long as it reflects the actual value of the work
performed.
Financial disclosure
laws are aimed at discouraging conflicts between a public servant’s
personal interests and the performance of the officer’s official duties.
The goal, the statute states, is “to strengthen the faith and
confidence of the people of this state in state government.”
In 2002, it was learned
Lucio was being paid by at least five companies: Aguirre Corp. of
Dallas, CorPlan Corrections of Argyle, Dannenbaum Engineering of
Houston, Management and Training Corp. of Utah (MTC), and Houston-based
TEDSI Infrastructure.
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