El Pasoans Question El Paso County Ethics Commission
Thursday’s El Paso County Ethics Commission meeting was the first since the commission’s chairman stepped down about a week ago.
Since David Chavez’s unofficial resignation wasn’t on the agenda, commissioners could not take action, but that didn’t stop the public from commenting.
The atmosphere was tense as El Pasoan Jorge Artalejo brought up the allegations against Chavez, but commissioners didn’t comment.
County officials say 63-year-old Chavez gave a verbal resignation shortly before he was charged with aggravated sexual assault.
Police said his accuser is a 15-year-old relative.
Chavez is accused of repeatedly raping the girl for the last five years. She’s now reportedly pregnant, police said.
“I’m saddened by the idea that he was in the position he is in. And I’m enlightened by the fact that he, because of what he himself was doing, had in any reasonable appearance of judgment would do and that was to resign,” said Artalejo.
Still, Artalejo said he feels betrayed.
“Because of that violation of trust that I have of this commission, then I question whether the other members of the commission are as trustworthy as my expectations,” Artalejo explained.
“It’s a very diverse group with a lot of vetting from each different group,” said David Nemir, the commission’s vice chairman.
He explained the public can count on the board’s nine other members.
“There is a commission. That alone should reassure members of the county. There’s a forum and a venue for folks to bring ethics concerns an that was the point of this commission and I think it’s going to be doing its job,” said Nemir.
According to an assistant county attorney, Chavez’s resignation will be official as soon as he sends a letter to the County Civil Service Commission. Then it will be up to those members to appoint his replacement.
“This is behind us and the commission has a certain amount of business to do. We know what has to be done and we’re going forward,” Nemir exlained.
If it is on the agenda, commissioners could take action regarding Chavez’s position at the next meeting which is scheduled for Aug 26.
