City Council to discuss ethics investigation, ballpark bonds on Monday

On Monday El Paso city council will continue discussions on City Manager Tommy Gonzalez’s role when searching for a new financial adviser. They may also decide whether to subpoena City Manager Joyce Wilson or ask the attorney general to investigate her role in the ball park bonds.

In November, City Representative Larry Romero explained why he didn’t disclose his ties to Noe Hinojosa, his former business partner and the man he efforted with Wilson to hire as the city’s financial adviser.

“It was 12 or 15 years ago you think it makes it that relevant that i should’ve said something,” Romero said.

The city’s ethic commission will continue to investigate Romero because of the ethics complaint filed in December. It also decided to continue looking at city manager Tommy Gonzalez’s role and whether he acted appropriately.

The investigator also recommended action be taken on the ballpark bonds.

ABC-7 obtained an email by Wilson detailing with the recommendation of other city reps, she delayed the sale of the bonds, a move that cost taxpayers nearly 27 million dollars.

Supporters says there’s no real way to prove Wilson’s delay is what caused the city to lose the money.

On Thursday, an open records request revealed Wilson insisted no one did anything wrong, although she refused to name the several city reps who brought up the idea.

“We want to get recommendation from our attorney,” Mayor Oscar Leeser said.