Feds: Local Businessman Pleads Guilty To Defrauding EPISD

EL PASO, TX. – El Paso businessman Bernardo Lucero, Jr. pled guilty Friday morning to conspiracy to defraud the El Paso Independent School District

In a statement sent to ABC-7, United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced thatarchitect and interior designer Bernardo Lucero, Jr., pleaded guilty to charges associated with fraudulent contract activities which deprived citizens of El Paso of the right to honest services.

According to the release , Lucero pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and conspiracy to make false statements to obtain credit.Lucero’s plea camein United States District Judge Frank Montalvo’s court in El Paso

Officials tell ABC-7, Lucero faces up to 20 years in federal prison on the mail fraud conspiracy; up to five years in federal prison on the false statements conspiracy; and, a maximum $250,000 fine for each count.

Additionally the government says that By pleading guilty, Lucero admitted that from January 2002 to July 24, 2007, he agreed to assist an elected official secure a $25,000 home improvement loan from United Bank of El Paso Del Norte by providing false and fraudulent information.

In addition the release states that Lucero admitted to conspiring to provide and help others provide money to an elected trustee of the EPISD in exchange for acts on the part of the official in his or her official capacity, thus depriving the constituents of that school district the right to the honest services of the elected Trustee.

Officials saythe investigation, conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, continues. No sentencing date has been scheduled.

EPISD spokesman Luis Villalobos confirms that Lucero/Melendez Architects, which lists Bernardo Lucero, Jr., as their vice president was the lead architectural firm on the building of Brown Middle School which was paid for as part of a recent bond issue.

UPDATE: EPISD Officials issued this response to Mr. Lucero’s statements 4:50 p.m.

The El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) is disheartened to learn of Bernardo Lucero, Jr.’s guilty plea. Mr. Lucero is a vice president of the architectural firm, Lucero/Melendez Architects, Inc. that has most recently been the lead architect for the construction of the Hut Brown Middle School. The District is not aware of specific details of the guilty plea.

It appears that Mr. Lucero may have implicated an unspecified member of the board of trustees. EPISD will be closely monitoring this matter. Of course, the American criminal justice system presumes that individuals accused of a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty.

The District, its employees, volunteers, trustees and community leaders have established an accountability system to gain the public trust. The District is thankful for those volunteers and employees that serve honestly and hope they will remain strong and committed through this difficult time. It is disheartening that someone may have circumvented the system for personal gain, as alleged by this guilty plea.

EPISD wants to assure our community and all individuals who have worked diligently and honestly to build the public trust that we will continue to work with the FBI with its ongoing investigation. At this point, the District will not conduct its own investigation so that we will not interfere with the work that is being conducted by the FBI. We will focus on assisting the FBI with its investigation.