Former City Representative On Trial For Forgery

After years of delays, former City Representative Rachel Quintana is facing a jury.

Quintana, who used to work at FedEx, is accused of forging her former boss’ signature on a letter so she could get a discounted Southwest Airlines ticket.

According to authorities, the incident took place in October of 2007, just four months after Quintana took office. A month after the El Paso Police launched an investigation, she was charged with a count of forgery.

Quintana, 33, has pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge.

One of the first witnesses called to the stand Tuesday was a Southwest Airlines customer service agent.

Elizabeth Keller described how Quintana had tried to get on a flight using a FedEx non-revenue pass, a document often used by FedEx employees entitled to a discount.

But when asked to show a proper FedEx employee ID to verify it, Keller said Quintana responded, “I don’t have one. They never gave me an ID, or I lost it.”

When Keller insisted, she said Quintana angrily slammed her card on the counter and said, “They never gave one to me. I’m a city rep. I’m not lying!”

Quintana stared straight ahead, with a relaxed, calm demeanor as Keller testified against her.

Keller told jurors she felt Quintana’s behavior was threatening, unlike most of the FedEx employees she typically assists.

The case has simmered since 2007, in part because Quintana accused prosecutors of unfairly trying to make an example of her.

She argued that she had the right to settle the case through what’s called a “pre-trial diversion,” a process that allows misdemeanor offenders to avoid admitting guilt or standing trial.

District Attorney Jaime Esparza disagreed, saying she should be held to a higher standard given that she was an elected official.

In 2008, Quintana appealed that decision and the 8th Court of Appeals sided with the prosecution in October of 2009.

ABC-7’s archives indicate she faces up to one year in jail and a fine.

Quintana, who arrived in office a 29-year-old political novice in 2007, announced last January that she would not seek re-election.

“I have given this decision paramount consideration and it is in the best interest of my family and community for me not to seek a second term,” Quintana said in a statement.

Had she been re-elected, and then found guilty, she would not have been able to serve on city council.

The trial resumes Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.